Squirming Moyes 'pretty certain he remembers Bilyaletdinov at Euro 2008'

While most of the blue half of Merseyside has given Diniyar Bilyaletdinov a muted reception, Everton boss David Moyes is over the moon at signing a man he is "pretty sure" was part of Russia's Euro 2008 limited success story.

Everton have suffered a less than ideal start to the season and are rueing the loss of money-loving, best-of-a-bad-bunch defender Jolean Lescott.

The Toffees have invested a chunk of the £22.5m Manchester City paid for Lescott in Russian midfielder Bilyaletdinov, who arrived in Liverpool with very little fanfare, possibly due to his unpronouncable name, unremarkable career to date and indistinct face.

But while the supporters may take some convincing, Moyes was full of praise for the new boy, who played a small part for a Russia side that made an impact on the international stage for the first time since the Cold War.

"I think I saw him playing for Russia in Euro 2008," the Scottish boss stammered.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure it was him. They did all look alike mind, they were all in red with young, boyish, slightly flushed faces and floppy, ungroomed hair. But I'm confident he's one of them, yeah..."

Speaking through a translator, Bilyaletdinov declared that he was 'honoured' to have signed for Everton.

However, the mood changed when Diniyar was asked whether he feared people would have trouble with his name, as the new recruit would only mutter: "I have a lot of people who will take care of me here. They will see that my enemies will disappear into the shadows."