Few would argue he does not deserve it. So impressive since joining Rangers, one of the Scottish Premiership giants’ stand-out performers will now be given the opportunity to achieve a lifelong ‘dream’.
And Philippe Clement feels that his story is only just beginning.
The Rangers ace, he feels, has a one-way ticket to the top of the European game in his pocket, with this spell at Ibrox something of a coming-of-age chapter in what could prove to be a story of success.
“For sure (he can improve further). Not only the next weeks, the next months and years,” Clement said back in February of Mohamed Diomande, who arrived in a £4.3 million loan-to-buy deal from Nordsjaelland in January. “He’s a high potential player and I don’t think Rangers will be his last step.
“Of course, you need some luck with injuries in your career. But, if he steers clear of that, he’s going to make bigger steps. He has talent but also the right mentality to work for the team, be very concentrated and very focused.
“Those are the things you are looking for when you go into talks with players.”
Mohamed Diomande has made a big impact at Rangers
Diomande has been an almost ever-present since touching down in Scotland. He started in each of Rangers’ last 11 Scottish Premiership fixture as the blue-clad club finished second (again) behind Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.
“You can see what they can do on the pitch or what they’re doing that you think you can improve as a gaffer. But the most important thing is about how ambitious people are to evolve themselves and how they want to take in information and work around that,” Clement adds.
“(Diomande) is somebody with a really high focus on those things.
“It’s like a sponge. He will get better and better the more information he gets. And the more experience he gets, the better he will become.”
If his move to Rangers represented Diomande climbing one more rung up the ladder, then a first ever call-up to the senior Ivory Coast national team feels like another signpost in his promising yet still embryonic career.
“My dream has always been to represent Ivory Coast, the country of my parents,” Diomande said not so long ago.
Now, called up by Cote d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fe for the first time, that dream could become reality when The Elephants look to trample over Gabon and Kenya in June. Diomande has represented Ivory Coast’s under 23 side but this is his maiden inclusion in the first-team squad.
Diomande’s Ivory Coast ‘dream’ could come true
Diomande, who looks certain to secure himself a permanent move to Ibrox, has been a big hit in Glasgow. His energy, intensity and ball-carrying qualities will come in very handy during Saturday’s Scottish Cup final with Old Firm rivals Celtic too, and could help Rangers move on from the out-of-contract duo John Lundstram and Ryan Jack.
Jack himself, meanwhile, returned to the Scotland squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships. That is despite an injury-hit end to the season at club level.
“Experience,” was Steve Clarke’s explanation when quizzed on Jack’s rather surprising re-call, via BBC Sport. “Ryan’s been an important part of the squad in my time as head coach.
“He missed the last Euros. He hasn’t had the best end to the season for Rangers. But he’s been fit the past two or three weeks.
“He deserves to be there. He’s a midfield player that’s a little bit different.”
