Senderos mounts case for the Rangers defence but eyes sensational Old Firm derby debut

The Swiss international's contribution might have been lost to history amid such august company but that doesn't mean that the player's Ibrox experience didn't make an impression on him.

Read more: Senderos mounts case for the Rangers defence but eyes sensational Old Firm derby debut

Considering he still can't believe the noise the fans made for a glorified exhibition match, he is bracing himself for a fair old din if he is thrust into an Old Firm baptism of fire next Saturday lunchtime.

“I’m really looking forward to it," said Senderos, who is set to lock horns with a former Aston Villa team-mate in the form of Scott Sinclair at Celtic Park. "I played at Ibrox in a friendly for AC Milan and I remember the noise - it was crazy and that was only a friendly. The atmosphere was great and playing against Rangers was a highlight for me.

“Every game is different and we know this game [Celtic versus Rangers] is more than football," added the Swiss, a veteran of both the North London and Milan derbies. "It is a special game and the noise will be crazy. I’m expecting a big atmosphere. I have watched some of them. You can see the intensity, hear the noise and you can see with every tackle and every pass what it means to everyone on the pitch and around the city. Which derby is the best? I will find out next week."

Such is the lot of a central half at Ibrox these days that you are unlikely to remain incognito for long. A defender by trade, perhaps it was only appropriate that the Swiss should mount a convincing defence of the people whose positions he has presumably been brought in to usurp. Clint Hill and Rob Kiernan were widely, and correctly, criticised for the hesitancy they displayed during the 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock last week, while Danny Wilson has had his fair share of brickbats this season also. While the exemplary peformance Kiernan and Wilson produced in last year's Old Firm match suddenly seems a long time ago, Senderos feels it is unfair to criticise a side who are unbeaten thus far in the league.

“I can’t understand the criticism as the team is unbeaten this season," said Senderos. "They have done really well, although of course the expectation is very high at a club like Rangers. Everyone expects us to to be beating every team in every single game but the story of football is not like this. What can I bring to the table? I have some experience and I hope I can help around the place."

Senderos explained last night how he jumped at the chance to join a 'big club' like Rangers, perhaps understandably for a man whose last club was Grasshoppers of Zurich. Since leaving Servette for Arsenal as a teenager, the high life is pretty much all he has known, as big clubs across Europe have queued up to sign a player with a big reputation. The ball playing central defender has graced four major finals for his country and it would have been five had he not been overlooked by national team boss Vladimir Petkovi? after playing in a warm-up friendly against Belgium.

“The big selling point was being back at a big club," said Senderos. "I had the opportunity to go to other places but I refused. I was waiting for something and when I had the opportunity to come up here and train I thought this was my chance to show I was in good shape and it happened.

“Playing for a top team like Rangers was a big factor for me and the manger gave me a lot of confidence with the way he wants to play and the ideas he has going forward because they are the same as mine," Senderos added. "It is the start of something special."

Having spent the summer keeping himself in trim working with a personal trainer in London, Senderos knows an international return is not out of the question. But first he must concentrate on consistent performances at a club where he has joined old adversaries Kenny Miller, Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.

“It [missing Euro 2016] was a disappointment for me for sure because I had been at four big tournaments and it’s been a big part of my career playing for Switzerland," he added. "I don’t know if playing well for Rangers will get me back in. But I’m going to focus on Rangers first and then see what happens."

Having finally arrived as a Rangers player, Senderos has no intention of leaving. It has taken two weeks of training and the 11th hour collapse of a deal for Joleon Lescott for the Swiss international to sign a deal until the end of the current campaign but the 31-year-old does not plan on being a one-season wonder.

“I have only signed for a year at Rangers but I hope I can extend that," he said. "As long as I have this hunger and desire I will continue playing for as long as my body will allow me."