Rangers fans will see a new approach in the transfer window from Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen.
The January window is a sign of things to come with young, exciting talent making the move to Ibrox instead of players who used to be good when they were younger looking to kickstart their careers.
After a small dip in form, Mohamed Diomande has shown in his last few appearances – and especially against Celtic – that he isn’t just going to be a quality player for Rangers, but a leader too.
Mohamed Diomande shows Rangers mentality
In recent seasons, there hasn’t been anyone in the middle of the park to really cause our Old Firm rivals problems.
At Hampden, in his first cup final for the club, the 22-year old proved that he has what it takes.
Occasionally, he straddled the line in terms of discipline, but so did predecessors like Kevin Thomson and Barry Ferguson, neither of whom every shirked a challenge.
It was Diomande getting in Nick Walsh’s face after a series of questionable calls and it is a shame that his captain looked to protect rather than join him when things got heated.
At one point in the first-half, a midfield runner got too much space in front of Rangers defence, nothing came of it, but this didn’t stop Diomande from giving Leon Balogun both barrels for not closing them down.
We’ve not seen a Rangers midfielder look this angry at his teammates for years and it is exactly the type of attitude that Philippe Clement needs across his team.
Diomande gets international seal of approval
Diomande’s impact hasn’t just impressed Rangers fans and Clement, Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has rewarded the former Right to Dream academy student with his first full international call up to the country of his birth:
“I have picked five new players and they aren’t just coming to make up the numbers.
“For example, Mohamed Diomande has been rewarded for the great season he had in Scotland.
“He’s been picked on merit and this is a very strong squad.”
Ghana tried to poach him during the most recent break, however, he always only had eyes for his homeland:
“My lifelong ambition has been to play for Ivory Coast – the homeland of my parents.
“I am eager to play for the Elephants.”
Not only is this a good thing for Mohamed Diomande, but it is also a good thing for Rangers.
With the club looking to land younger, more dynamic players, being able to show them that international football is achievable whilst playing in Scotland could be the difference in signing someone or missing out.
Before he has even formally signed, what it has also done, is put a few pounds on Diomande’s ever rising price tag.
