As we all like to know about our rivals, indulge me while I introduce you to a character by the name of Mohamed Diomande. Born and raised in Ivory Coast, he first caught the eye of our neighbours at Ibrox, sorting his boots and socks out on the 30th of October, 2001. Diomande takes to the field as a central midfielder, presumably given a number 10 jersey out of a random draw as opposed to any actual skill. He's about 6ft (1.83m) - not a terribly exciting height for a footballer, and tips the scales at a thoroughly average 11st 11lb (75kg).
Before he got caught up in the glamour of Scottish football, Diomande was honing his craft at the magnificently named Right to Dream Academy in the Ghana First Division. Oh, the simple dreams of youth. By January 2020, he had succumbed to the irresistible allure of Superliga football and moved to FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark. Over four seasons he sampled various roles and responsibilities, gracing the pitch 86 times, and generously letting the ball find its way into the back of the net 11 times.
It seems that Rangers spotted a gem in Diomande, or perhaps they needed someone to clean the boots, as in 2024 he was given the pleasure of a loan spell over on the darker side of Glasgow. He fondly remembers his 13 appearances though, along with the two times he was apparently allowed to score.
Apparently not put off by his first taste of Scottish hospitality, Diomande signed himself over fully to Rangers in July 2024. At a reported cost of around £4.3m, the tabloids found themselves truly struggling to contain their excitement. Diomande continues to ply his trade with them, making 36 appearances in the 2024 - 2025 season, and finding the net four times to the delight of an eager crowd. Currently in the 2025 - 2026 season, he's wrangled another five appearances.
Despite his busy schedule in Scotland, Diomande has managed to jet off for a bit of international duty with the Ivory Coast, trying his luck in the World Cup Qualifiers Africa 2024 - 2026. He also found the time to compete in the Scottish Cup 2024 - 2025, the Europa League 2023 - 2024 and the Champions League Qualifiers 2025 - 2026.
So there you have it, ladies and gents. A snapshot of Mohamed Diomande. He might not wear the green and white, but it's always interesting to see what the other side considers to be talent.
