RANGERS bad boy El Hadji Diouf last night revealed he has been reunited with the father who walked out on him 22 years ago.
The controversial striker's dad, who was also a footballer, left the family in Senegal when Diouf was just eight.
But Diouf has revealed they met up in Portugal this year, while Rangers were playing a Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon.
He also met two half-sisters he did not know existed.
The news comes days after Diouf escaped a suspension but was fined for his conduct during last month's Old Firm Scottish Cup replay.
Diouf said: "My father is someone I love very much, although I did not grow up with him.
"He was a footballer and, yes, he left me but it was because he had no choice. We were so poor.
"The fact that he left I actually take as a good thing because I think it made me become stronger mentally."
Recalling their reunion, he said: "He is still in Portugal and takes care of his family in Lisbon. I now also have two sisters.
"They were happy to meet up, just like me. In fact, I wanted to take my daughter to show to my father. I feel it is my duty because you never know what life holds for us because it is so short.
"I hadn't seen him for 22 years but since then, we have called each other on the phone virtually every day."
And Diouf believes he gets his bad reputation just because of how he dresses.
Diouf said: "When people see you dressed up, they say you're a bad boy, that's the problem.
"But other than that, there's nothing bad boy in me."
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