Mohamed Diomande believes Rangers have to be prepared for Hearts ‘playing dirty’ in their pivotal title race showdown at Tynecastle tomorrow.
It’s a make-or-break fixture for the Ibrox side as they try to close the four-point gap between themselves and the leaders.
With just four games of the campaign remaining, Diomande insists Danny Rohl’s side cannot simply rely on their manager’s tactical approach if they hope to lift the Premiership trophy.
‘Character and mentality will be very important in the last four games,’ said the Ivory Coast international.
‘We might not just win games by doing what the coach taught us or the tactical things we worked on before.
‘It will depend on ourselves. If Hearts or the other teams are going to play dirty, we need to stand up.
Mohamed Diomande says Rangers will have to stand up for themselves when they visit Hearts
Diomande was in the Rangers team whose title hopes were dented by Motherwell at Ibrox
Danny Rohl’s tactics may not be enough for Rangers in the title showdown at TynecastleÂ
‘Maybe we don’t have to think about the tactical play and just fight. If that’s what we need to win the game, we have to do it. It’s about character and standing up for ourselves. It won’t come easy. Fighting for it will be the most important thing.’
Rangers suffered a major setback last weekend when they lost 3-2 at home to Motherwell in their first post-split fixture, effectively leaving them with no further room for error in the three-way battle with Hearts and Celtic.
‘Is it now or never on Monday? Yeah, I think so,’ added Diomande. ‘Because if we lose that game, we’re going to be seven points behind so it will be difficult to win and we’re playing Celtic next.
‘So we need to win on Monday. I won’t say it’s a decider just yet but we’ll certainly be in a better position if we win the game.
‘It was disappointing to lose against Motherwell because we know how far behind we were, 13 points at one stage, came back to one point behind and now it’s four again.
‘But we know we are still in the race and can’t give up now. Every minute will be important now. We’ll do everything to beat our direct opponents, who are also trying to win the league, to be champions.’
Many of Diomande’s recent appearances have come from the subs’ bench and his last start in the league was in February.
The 24-year-old revealed he has had several discussions with Rohl about his own situation but remains positive about the German coach’s impact at the club since he replaced Russell Martin in October.
‘We’ve spoken a few times,’ said Diomande. ‘There’s not a solid reason why I’m not playing more.
‘I believe we have great players in the position I’m playing and they’ve shown they can also start.
‘I do everything to try and be available, play and help the team win games. I’m sure the other boys are doing the same. I don’t know if he’s going to play me or not. I can only show in training that I’m ready.
‘I believed we could win the league when the manager came because he was very clear in what he wanted. We took things slowly and we had a good run with him, winning many games.
‘Because of the detailed work we’ve done and also the team around him – it’s helped him get his ideas into the dressing-room.
‘We know what it takes to win the games and from the first game with him I felt we could get here. We’re not done yet but we’re going to do everything to finish good.’
Diomande is still waiting for his first experience of silverware since joining Rangers from Danish club Nordsjaelland in January 2024.
‘I wanted to come here and win trophies. I can’t really say why it hasn’t happened. I don’t know,’ he said.
‘I’ve always tried to give my best and I’m sure during my two years here, all the coaches I’ve had were ambitious and also wanted to win trophies.
‘The first year I was here, we were close. But we didn’t do it in the last five games. Now is a good opportunity for me and the team and I really hope we can make it happen.’
