Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton could not speak highly enough of Mohamed Diomande after the January signing played a starring role during the 2-2 Europa League draw with Benfica on Thursday.
There was a time, not so long ago, when Ryan Jack and Steven Davis were Rangers’ go-to men in big European clashes such as this. But with Jack a fading force and Davis retired, the Glasgow giants needed a new, similarly all-action central midfielder capable of going toe-to-toe with the continent’s big-hitters.
And it appears they have found one too, Mohamed Diomande enhancing his ever-growing reputation with another colossus of a display as Philippe Clement’s side threatened a shock in the Estadio da Luz.
Diomande, on loan from Nordsjaelland with a £4.5 million obligation-to-buy clause in his contract, is already repaying Rangers’ investment, grabbing his first assist for the Glasgow giants with a sumptuous cross which just begged Tom Lawrence to stick it away.
An invitation the Welshman was only too happy to grab with both hands.
Mohamed Diomande shines in Rangers draw
“He’s so versatile” former Ibrox right-back Alan Hutton told TNT Sport of Diomande, the mid-season signing combining with Fabio Silva before floating an inch-perfect delivery onto Lawrence’s head with just seven minutes on the clock.
“He can play in a number of positions. He’s got so much energy and he covers every blade of grass. A really good player to have.”
Especially on occasions such as this.
Diomande, energetic off the ball and a bundle of drive and energy on it, more than held his own against Benfica’s highly-rated midfield duo Florentino Luis and Joao Neves, his contributions even more essential on a rare off-night for partner John Lundstram.
Philippe Clement’s side go toe-to-toe with Benfica
Lawrence’s opener was cancelled out by an Angel di Maria penalty. Dujon Sterling then gave the visitors the lead again on the stroke of half-time before Connor Goldson – usually so reliable on big European nights – thumped a header past Jack Butland and into his own net.
Rangers will face Benfica in the second-leg, with a Europa League quarter-final up for grabs, at Ibrox next Thursday.
