When he signed a three-year deal with Rangers in July 2005, Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan wasn't shy in pointing out that he had chosen to move to Ibrox ahead of fellow Old Firm side Celtic. The 29-year-old said that Rangers "really wanted me", "were more professional" and that he had "no hesitation" in snubbing Celtic for the Gers. It was a statement that immediately won over the club's supporters, but Pierre-Fanfan would ultimately come to regret his bold introduction. The defender had previously been a regular fixture at the heart of the Paris Saint-Germain defence and but he never settled in a backline that conceded three goals against both Hearts and Hibernian in his first five games at the club. From the end of August until his eventual exit 12 months later, he would make just two more appearances in the SPL. In sharp contrast, Celtic would romp to the league title. emerging triumphant by a margin of 17 points. Rangers would end the season in third position - the first time that they had finished outside of the top two for 18 years - and Pierre-Fanfan would be released from his contract and not find a club for a whole year. If ever someone's first words at a new side came back to haunt them, this was it.
A degree-educated, dart-throwing, non-smelling sports journalist based in a small Staffordshire town that has just become Floyd Mayweather's answer to the question: "What's the strangest place you have ever visited?"
