Ibrox talent set 'free' by Ferguson as Ramadan partner hailed after 'difficult' 11-game run
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Mohamed Diomande might not be a midfielder in the mould of former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson.
But the Ivorian talent is certainly taking heed of the legendary former Ibrox treble-winner's advice when it comes to winning the battle in the middle of the pitch.
Mohamed Diomande is a wonderfully graceful player who has that elite level ability to find a yard of space, and a teammate, when it looks to be impossible.
Such spatial awareness and technical quality really compliments his midfield partner Nicolas Raskin, the Belgian recently hailed by Ferguson and much more like the former Ibrox skipper in playing style.
Speaking after the Old Firm derby win at Celtic Park, Diomande has heaped praise on the interim Rangers manager and talked up the impact Barry Ferguson is having on his game.
Mohamed Diomande set 'free' by Barry Ferguson
Diomande was a crucial player in Philippe Clement's Rangers team but the like the rest of his Ibrox teammates, struggled to find consistency in Scottish football.
That message about having to give your all every game, with every point a prisoner, was lost somewhere between Clement's office and the Rangers dressing room.
But like many of his teammates, Diomande is a player reborn under Ferguson's leadership and chipped in with a crucial Old Firm derby goal v Celtic.
Receiving a headed flick-on from midfield partner Nicolas Raskin, Diomande took the ball down perfectly and found the bottom corner to score.
The 23-year-old reckons this is no coincidence with Ferguson giving him the license to go out, express himself and find pockets on the pitch where he can hurt the opposition.
"We have a coach who was a midfielder and he's helping us," Diomande explained to RangersTV.
"We've seen how he played before and he's really giving his experience to us and we just go and express ourselves.
"He always says 'go and do what you're good at' and I'm just happy I'm free to play and get in the right positions."
Later Dio would explain that Ferguson's team talks are also having a big impact: "He's helping like I said. The leader talk he is giving us is important."
Whilst Rangers have switched to a midfield three at times under Ferguson, Diomande has spent the bulk of the season playing alongside Nicolas Raskin.
Whilst Ferguson's encouragement is having a clear impact on both players, Dio insists both himself and Nico are pushing each other to achieve at Ibrox.
| Scottish Premiership stats 24/25 | Mohamed Diomande 🇨🇮 | Nicolas Raskin 🇧🇪 |
| Age | 23 | 24 |
| Appearances (starts) | 28 (25) | 26 (22) |
| Goals (xG) | 4 (3.76) | 1 (1.45) |
| Assists (xA) | 5 (2.95) | 5 (1.47) |
| Shots (shots on target) | 40 (10) | 26 (10) |
| Chances created | 30 | 23 |
| Successful passes (pass accuracy %) | 936 (86.4%) | 1209 (86.7%) |
| Successful dribbles (dribble success %) | 25 (62.5%) | 23 (74.2%) |
| Touches (in opposition box) | 1436 (52) | 1749 (27) |
| Fouls committed (fouls won) | 28 (40) | 37 (20) |
| Tackles won (%) | 21 (65.6%) | 49 (63.6%) |
| Duels won (%) | 112 (54.1%) | 168 (59.2%) |
| Interceptions | 14 | 20 |
| Recoveries | 115 | 141 |
| Possession won in final third | 7 | 8 |
| FotMob season rating | 7.25 | 7.45 |
"We ourselves, we also push each other," explains Diomande. "Me and Nico.
"We just try to give our best in the middle and we run for the team. We do our best and that's it yeah."
Dio hails role of Hamza Igamane at Celtic Park
Mohamed Diomande has also singled out Hamza Igamane out for special praise following the Rangers striker's late winner at Celtic Park.
The thumping top corner effort was Igamane's first goal since finding the net against Aberdeen in mid-January, a run which spanned 11 games before the Old Firm trip to Celtic Park.
Despite the baron spell, Igamane has done enough to earn a Morocco call-up with the hitman included as part of Walid Regragui's national team squad.
Diomande praised the striker – who alongside Dio is also fasting during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan – for his resilience after coming up big at Parkhead.
Muslims abstain from eating any food or drink during daylight hours throughout the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
"I am very happy," said Diomande. "You know, it's been tough.
"We are in Ramadan and we're all doing fasting. It's been difficult for him. He hasn't been scoring for a long time.
"I am happy that it happened today and I yeah I hope he can continue.
"He's going to the national team now and I hope he gets some minutes and he keeps scoring for us."
