Sport
Barry Ferguson urges Rangers to seal £4m for star who will be ‘a really top player
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson is urging the Scottish Premiership challengers to complete a permanent deal for Mohamed Diomande with the loanee potentially a ‘really top player’.
During his time at Nordsjaelland in Denmark, the talented central midfielder often came in for criticism for a lack of goals and assists from his box-to-box role.
But, with two goals in his first eight Rangers appearances and with a maiden assist for Philippe Clement’s side against Benfica in the UEFA Europa League, a supposed weaknesses in Mohamed Diomande’s game is starting to turn into a strength, the Ivorian combining brilliantly with fellow winter arrival Fabio Silva before setting up Tom Lawrence’s opener in Lisbon.
Combine that new-found attacking output with his drive and energy in the centre of the park, and Ferguson is convinced already that a permanent deal in the region of £4 million will represent excellent value for money.
Mohamed Diomande a big hit at Rangers
“He’s settled in really quickly,” the former Ibrox skipper, who won five Scottish Premiership titles during two spells in Glasgow, tells Go Radio.
“Sometimes you need a bit of time to settle in. But, listen, he can get about the pitch, he’s got a goal in him, he’s good on the ball and he breaks play up. He’s got all the attributes, I think, to be a really top player.
“It suits Rangers’ model. I think the fee is around about the £4 million mark. For me, they’ve got to go and do that. I think that is the case that they’re going to sign him.
“Further down the line, if he keeps playing and improving the way that he is, he’s one Rangers could make a few bob off.”
Three goal contributions already
Rangers made three signings in January and all have made a big impact so far, the club’s recruitment in the Philippe Clement – Nils Koppen era already looking much-improved compared to Mick Beale’s time in charge. Fabio Silva was outstanding at former employers Benfica on Thursday, while Oscar Cortes was a big hit too before his recent injury.
Clement, meanwhile, is under no illusions that Ibrox is unlikely to be the final stop on Diomande’s journey, insisting that the all-action midfielder has everything in his locker to reach the very top of the European game.
“For sure (he can improve further). Not only the next weeks, the next months and years,” Clement says. “He’s a high potential player and I don’t think Rangers will be his last step.
“Of course, you need some luck with injuries in your career. But, if he steers clear of that, he’s going to make bigger steps. He has talent but also the right mentality to work for the team, be very concentrated and very focused.
“Those are the things you are looking for when you go into talks with players.”
