Mohamed Diomande insists that Philippe Clement has the backing of the Rangers team – and that in turn they have the backing of the Rangers fans.
The Ivorian midfielder, 23, was a top performer in the 3-1 victory over St Johnstone and both scored and laid on an assist to put Simo Valakari’s team to the sword.
But the match was overshadowed by a series of Union Bears protests with everyone from new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart to the Ibrox tea-lady under the microscope.
Mohamed Diomande did the post-match press conference at Ibrox and was grilled on the situation with Philippe Clement and the protests from within the ground.
Mohamed Diomande on Rangers fan protests
Mohamed Diomande might’ve played a key role in Rangers overcoming St Johnstone but the Ivory Coast international faced questions instead about the situation at Ibrox.
With the Gers now 15 points behind in the Scottish Premiership it’s another season where the club’s lacklustre players have failed to mount a serious title challenge.
Diomande was part of the team who collapsed at the final furlong last season but this campaign, Rangers’ annual implosion came early during the festive period.
Despite fierce protests over the situation at full-time, Diomande believes the bulk of the Rangers support are still very much with this young Ibrox squad.
”It was good, we got the win and that’s what we wanted to do,” said Diomande.
”I didn’t really notice anything (with the protests) because I was focused and I didn’t really see what was going on at all.
”But I could hear a lot of noise and the noise was like the support didn’t give in so I felt they were supporting us.
”I didn’t really know what was going on. I just played my game today and also my teammates, to help them.
”We just want to win the games and we know winning the games is going to make them happy because that’s what the club is about.
”I think they have been backing us and as I said, I felt like they did today also.”
Rangers team are backing Philippe Clement
Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart threw his support behind Philippe Clement last week and Mohamed Diomande has now done the same.
Belgian manager Clement signed Diomande from FC Nordjsaelland in Denmark last January and the Ivorian has been the poster boy of the club’s revamped approach to recruitment.
Speaking about the mounting pressure on Philippe Clement, Mohamed Diomande insists the Rangers manager has the backing of the squad.
Instead taking some accountability for the situation, the Ivorian has urged his teammates to ‘deliver’ on the tactics they’re being given in training.
”I will say it’s all of us together,” said Diomande.
”He brought me in and I trust him and I’m sure the other players also do.
”They trust his tactics and what he wants to bring to the club and we just need to deliver what he shows us in training.
”We need to deliver on the pitch for him also to get the maximum points we all want to achieve our goals.
”It’s good (that the club are behind the manager). We are all trying to do our best and we’re all learning from each other.
”Because he’s bringing his tactics and we listen to him and we try to improve together as a team.
”I’ve known him from a different club and he brought me in and I try to learn from him every day.
”I am just trying to be the best I can be and to learn from him or the assistant also, also my teammates.”
