Why Drogba, Toure Will Inspire Diomande To Live Rangers European Dream

The Ivorian midfielder, Mohamed Diomande is desperate to help the Light Blues go on a Euro journey after being glued to the run to Seville.

The Right to Dream was Diomande’s starting point on his trip to Ibrox.

The Ivory Coast native now believes he is living it as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba on the European scene. The young player signed by the Rangers made his big break when he was selected by Nordsjaelland of Denmark from the esteemed RtD academy in Ghana.

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And the £4.5million January recruit now hopes he’s made it to the big time with Gers as Philippe Clement’s side target a place in the last eight of the Europa League. Diomande revealed last week how he grew up in his African homeland supporting the far-off Light Blues after being given a Gers kit by a visiting scout from Britain.

Furthermore, he was closely monitoring the Ibrox squad when, two years prior, Gio van Bronckhorst led them to within a few penalty kicks of victory in Seville. In order to prepare for his upcoming journey with Clement, the 22-year-old is drawing inspiration from a few of his fellow Champions League winners who overcame obstacles to succeed in Europe.

Speaking ahead of this week’s clash with Benfica, Diomande said: “I was watching when Rangers made it to Seville, I saw all the stuff they did and how they progressed through. That was also one of the big reasons why I decided to come here. I’d love to have my own similar experience. I’m living the dream here and for me that means playing at the highest level of football that I can.

“Right here, that’s what’s happening. Competing at this stage in the tournament means you’re one of the best teams in Europe as to get here you need to be one of the best in your league and to compete against different clubs on the continent. It’s a good step and a good competition for everybody to grow as a footballer. Guys like Drogba and Sadio Mane have been role models and opened the way and shown how it can be done at the top.

“I’m just trying to follow their footsteps and be the best I can be so people look and me and want to follow what I’ve done. I looked up to those guy and also some of my team-mates who I played with at Nordsjaelland like Mohammed Kudus (now playing in the Premier League with West Ham).

“They have motivated me to reach that level and compete at the top level. My heroes were Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. I haven’t had the chance to meet with them yet but I’ve spoken with them on the phone before. They just told me how important it was to work hard and follow my dreams.

“It won’t be easy but they know I can do it because they’ve seen me play. Toure was the guy I watched a lot when I was younger. He was an amazing player and I’m trying to emulate what he’s done in the game. But it’s also important to be myself too because I know I have my own attributes. For me, the best thing I can do is be the best version of myself I can be and then I know people will look up to me.”