Philippe Clement has found himself at the centre of much scrutiny with regards Rangers’ transfer business this summer.
Not only did Clement claim the likes of Clinton Nsiala and Hamza Igamane were not signed as starters.
But the Rangers manager courted controversy when he claimed that Rangers will have to sell before they can buy in a tight summer transfer window.
It’s led to Philippe Clement coming out and speaking to RangersTV following the completion of the club’s training camp in the Netherlands.
And on a slightly more positive update, the Rangers boss has singled out one player as not only the ‘best player on the pitch’ v Ajax.
But also as a shining example of the type of project players the Ibrox side are trying to convince to come into the club.
Diomande earns Clement praise
Rangers reportedly held off a host of clubs to sign talented Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande on loan in January.
This summer the 22-year-old Right to Dream academy graduate has gone on to complete a £4.5m transfer from Danish side FC Nordsjælland.
As Nils Koppen, Philippe Clement and the Rangers recruitment board set their sights on young talents with high ceilings, high sell-ons and high potential, Diomande is often held up as the poster boy.
Speaking as part of that RangersTV interview, Clement has once again singled out Dio and claims the player’s performance in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Ajax can act as Ibrox inspiration.
“As I said last week there are some (new signings) who are more longer term,” said Clement.
“Like Clinton Nsiala, he will not be ready directly from the start.
“And you have others you can step in directly but will grow and will become better next couple of years, like Connor Barron, like Jefte.
“So those are all different things. I think the best example in that way is (Mohamed) Diomande.
“He came in in January as a young talented player who can grow in this club, who can be important, who will be important.
“If you see the game (v Ajax), for me he was the best player on the pitch against Ajax, from the two teams.
“So those will be the players who will be big assets for the future also, that one moment you can sell and because of that you can raise your budgets.
“So those are things we need to look at, not only short term but long term, and everybody is aligned about that and that’s a crucial thing.”
Big things expected of Rangers midfielder
Big things are certainly expected of Mohamed Diomande at Rangers.
The Ivorian is one of a number of talents to emerge from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana.
Having worn a Rangers top during his upbringing as a footballer, there’s a poetry about Dio’s time in Glasgow and it’s clear Clement values the kid very highly.
We expect Mohamed Diomande to play a key role in Rangers’ season and if everything goes to plan then the club will have a sizeable asset on their hands.
A technically gifted midfielder who plays with a composure well beyond his tender years, Diomande has had six months to settle into Scottish football and we’re excited to see what he can bring this season.
Let’s hope the midfielder is also just the first of a list of talented young players who are attracted to come to Rangers over the next few windows.
