If Rangers are to reverse their current fortunes next season, they will need to get more out of players like Mohamed Diomande.
Signed for £4.3m, the Ivory Coast international has improved as a player, but there is still too big a gap between his best and when he is having an off day.
In terms of numbers, 14 goals and assists from open play (six goals, eight assists) is a reasonable return from midfield, however, he now needs to start dominating games like the current Rangers manager used to.
Speaking ahead of the final Old Firm game of the season, Diomande is aware that personal growth is irrelevant, if Rangers aren’t winning.
Mohamed Diomande on Rangers’ domestic struggles
Unlike under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale, the Old Firm games haven’t been the biggest problem this season, it has been failing to beat the rest of the Scottish Premiership with any conviction.
Something that Mohamed Diomande is only too away of:
“I think when we play other teams, they are more defensive-minded,” Diomande noted. “I think we’ve struggled to create a lot of chances. That’s been the biggest problem and the biggest challenge for us.
“I really hope we can find a way to break teams down. We’ve got four games left and I’m already looking forward to next season and to be ready for every team we are going to face.
“Personally, this is my first time playing 50-plus games in one season. I think that is an achievement for me. But I know this club already and I know you have to win.
“Personally, I am glad to have had as many games as I have. I’ve grown as a player and become stronger. I want to push myself. I’m focused on these last four games, but also looking ahead to next season and I want to come back stronger.”
Can Rangers build their team around Diomande?
Earlier in the season, Diomande was hooked at half-time after an abysmal first half performance, but it seems to have been the best thing that has happened to him.
Since then, both domestically and in Europe, he has been one of Rangers’ best performers.
His work rate can’t be questioned and he plays with a pace and intensity that some of his teammates could do with copying.
Also, his partnership with Nicolas Raskin has been promising, if a bit of help arrives in the summer.
The target for next season, has to be for him to hit the sort of numbers that Joe Aribo was capable of, double digits for goals and assists.
If he does, Rangers might well be in a better place next May, than they are just now.
