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Philippe Clement wasn’t a happy man after Rangers huffed and puffed to little effect against Dundee United.
The manager will know that Nice presents an entirely different challenge, but there can be no repeat of the players who were singled out for criticism shirking responsibility once again.
In particular, Mohamed Diomande has to take heed from the lesson that Ianis Hagi demonstrated as being the standard that is needed to play for Rangers.
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Ianis Hagi shows Mohamed Diomande how Rangers No.10 should play
Arguments about Clement’s formation and system are almost irrelevant when faced with a team setting up how Jim Goodwin set up Utd.
What games like those demand is the pivotal No.10, or attacking midfielder role, to dictate play in the final third.
In a dismal first half, Diomande made 15 of his 18 passes with no key passes, no big chances created, and he won just one ground duel.
An ineffective and anonymous display, no wonder Clement wasn’t happy with Diomande.
What makes things worse for Diomande, is the intensity shown by Hagi in the second half to try and make something happen.
The Romania international made 34 out of 40 passes – more than double – had one key pass, created two big chances and won five out of five ground duels.
Rangers fans can excuse a player having a bad day at the office, but only if they show the desired work rate and effort as they go about their tasks.
Is time running out for Diomande?
Considering the £4.3m fee paid to sign Diomande, he looks like a player who doesn’t want to be at Rangers, compare and contrast with Hagi, who looked every inch the player trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Even if he was unsuccessful in doing so.
Clement had previously pinned some high expectations on Diomande, but he’s seen both Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron go ahead of him in the queue for a place in midfield.
That Tom Lawrence was also more effective in the No.10 position is a damning indictment of a player capable of a lot, but delivering very little.
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