Mohamed Diomande stood out as arguably the best player on the pitch as Rangers gave Fenerbahce a bloody nose.
The Ivorian international, 23, has not been without his detractors at Rangers but it’s never been a question of ability with this talented young midfielder.
Mohamed Diomande shone like a diamond for Rangers in the Europa League win over Fenerbahce and the midfielder has been earning plaudits around Europe as a result.
But one clip from the midfielder’s excellent night’s work in Turkey sums up the technical quality, intelligence and ability of Rangers’ star boy.
It comes after Rangers impressed against Fenerbahce to record a famous 3-1 Europa League victory ahead of the second leg at Ibrox.
Mohamed Diomande shows Rangers class v Fenerbahce
Mohamed Diomande’s close control is essential for Rangers retaining possession whilst the midfielder’s calm on the ball offers genuine composure.
But all of that is done with Diomande relentlessly focusing on where the rest of his teammates are on the park and where the space is on the pitch.
In a tremendous performance, it was Diomande’s pressing which led to Rangers’ opener, the ex-FC Nordsjaelland star getting a lucky assist for Cyriel Dessers.
But it might’ve been even better for Diomande on the night too, with the midfielder playing a key role in both of Cyriel Dessers’ eventually disallowed goals.
In the build up to the second strike, Diomande showed expert composure to bring the ball under control, evade two Fenerbahce teammates and open up space for the attack.
A clip of the moment has since gone viral on X with fans around the world in awe of the midfielder’s skill.
In an impressive night for Diomande, the midfielder had the highest pass completion in the Rangers team (96%) and won five key duels.
Mohamed Diomande compared to Zinedine Zidane
It’s not just Rangers fans who’ve been fawning over Mohamed Diomande with Turkish legend Nihat Kahveci comparing the midfielder to the great Zinedine Zidane.
Whilst Jose Mourinho focused on two Rangers teammates, Kahveci couldn’t speak highly enough of Diomande come full time.
In extraordinary comments, former Turkey forward Nihat heaped the praise on Dio and thanked God that Rangers went on to sub the Ibrox midfielder later in the match.
Also taking aim at Fenerbahce’s performance, the legendary former Besiktas, Real Sociedad and Villarreal star went on to single out Cyriel Dessers for praise too.
“I still can’t believe what we watched,” Kahveci said, as quoted by NTV Spor.
“But let’s be honest here – it should have been 5-1 and if Cyriel Dessers’ shoulder wasn’t as muscly, it would have been.
“Every top club in Turkey should be fighting to sign him. But there were plenty of others.
“Mohamed Diomande was brilliant – like the best of Zinedine Zidane – thank God they substituted him. And what a player Vaclav Cerny is.
“Honestly, the goals Rangers scored were like from a Playstation game – they were all so easy for them.
“How can Fenerbahce – a team who restricted Galatasaray to almost no chances at goal last week – give Rangers so many opportunities?
“Jose Mourinho went all-out attack in the second half and treated a team like Rangers like they were playing Rizespor.
“It was incredible because Fenerbahce were in such good form and then produced that. It was a crazy match and the tie should be over.”
