The array of talent Philippe Clement already possesses in the heart of midfield has had some wondering if Dundee dynamo Lyall Cameron is really needed at Rangers.
According to reports, Rangers are leading the race to sign the Scotland Under-21 international.
The Light Blues signed Connor Barron in similar circumstances back in 2024 – his contract expiring and snapped up for a bargain fee decided via a tribunal – and it appears that Philippe Clement, Nils Koppen and co feel that Lyall Cameron represents another opportunity too good to miss.
The question many have asked, however, is whether Cameron would really command a place in Clement’s best XI. Those in the pro-Cameron camp will argue, though, that a player with eight goals and seven assists this season is capable of bringing a different dimension to an impressive selection of midfielders already earning a living at Ibrox.
Between them, Connor Barron and Raskin have played around 60 games this season without scoring a goal. Mohamed Diomande had just four from 34 games, meanwhile, before Rangers beat Dundee United 3-1 at Tannadice on Sunday.
Diomande secured a permanent deal, following an initial loan spell from Nordsjaelland, in the hope that he would bring a thrust and a box-crashing dynamism to this team.
As Rangers step up their interest in Cameron, Diomande picked a pretty good time to remind Clement what he is capable of providing in the role Dundee’s number ten would be looking to make his own in Glasgow.
- READ MORE: Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present
Mohamed Diomande back in form at Rangers as Andy Halliday hails midfielder
Diomande scored only a fifth goal of the season at Dundee United. Home goalkeeper Jack Walton certainly didn’t cover himself in glory but the sheer power with which the Ivorian struck his 20-plus yard piledriver was a sight to behold.
For Andy Halliday, once a Rangers midfielder himself, this was a reminder of what the £4.3 million can do when at the peak of his powers and the pinnacle of his form.
Only Hamza Igamane managed more than his six shots on goal, while Diomande also showcased the quick-footed ducking and diving and final-third guile simply beyond both Barron and Raskin.
“I thought Diomande,” Halliday says when asked to pick his stand-out performers from Rangers’ comeback win at Tannadice. “I know its easy to say because of the goal but I just think he is that one that is so positive all the time in possession.
“He will take it [the ball] in tight areas, he’ll play positive. I really like Raskin but he is not really like a break lines all the time [sort of player]. He is brilliant at winning the ball back but Diomande is that one who, in tight areas, give him the ball and he’ll make something happen.
“I thought he was really good.”
Ally McCoist stunned by Diomande red card vs Dundee United
After Sam Dalby opened the scoring early on, Diomande ensured the two teams would go into the half-time break level.
Robin Propper then put Rangers ahead for the first time with a deflected drive just after the break, before Cyriel Dessers took his tally to six goals in four games with another thumping finish late on.
Diomande’s afternoon did end on a sour note, however. He was shown a straight red card after a rather petulant coming together with Kevin Holt.
A flashpoint so minor, seemingly only referee Nick Walsh felt warranted punishment rather than a proverbial slap on the wrist.
“Surely [it will get rescinded],” a bemused Halliday argues.
Rangers icon Ally McCoist went one step further, with Rangers eventually lodging a successful appeal on Tuesday.
“Oh my goodness, it is the worst decision,” McCoist fumed. “It is absolutely unbelievable how the referee thinks it is a red.
“It baffles me. You are sitting watching it as a football fan and you’re thinking; ‘What is going through the referee’s mind there?’ II just think it is inexcusable.
“I really do.”
