Philippe Senderos targets Old Firm debut after signing one-year deal with Rangers

PHILIPPE SENDEROS last night urged Mark Warburton to pencil him in for an Old Firm debut.

The former Arsenal defender signed a one-year deal to become Rangers’ 11th summer signing and thrust himself straight into the reckoning to face Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday week.

Senderos, who also had spells at AC Milan, Fulham, Aston Villa, Valencia and Grasshopper Zurich, admitted it was a ‘no-brainer’ to sign on at Ibrox until the end of the season.

Warburton moved for the 31-year-old free agent after a move for Joleon Lescott collapsed at the 11th hour.

And Senderos insists he will not be fazed by the prospect of facing Brendan Rodgers’ league leaders in front of 60,000.

He said: “That’s the kind of game everyone wants to play in — and hopefully I can have a good week of training and we will see from there.

“This is why you come to such a big club, to play in those kind of games.

“It is right up there with some of the best derbies in the world and I am expecting a lot of noise and the whole city vibrating to this game.

“I expect tough games with all the teams though.

“I have seen already the last few games since I have been here and it is very difficult to play as everyone is expecting Rangers to come out and to try to play their football.

“If the other teams sit back and make it difficult for you, it’s going to be hard to break down.

“You have to find solutions though, and that’s where experience and quality comes into play.”

Senderos, who impressed Warburton during a two-week trial, will make his first Rangers appearance against Linfield in Belfast on Saturday.

The Swiss star, capped 57 times for his country, admitted the ambition of the Gers boss was a huge factor in him turning down offers from abroad.

He said: “I’m delighted to have finally signed, I’m really pleased and I can’t wait to crack on.

“When I had the chance to come here and join such as big club, it was a no-brainer for me.”