Rangers star with inside Fenerbahce experience tells teammates what they're in for as he relives clash with Ryan Kent

Mohamed Diomande has been here and done it against Fenerbahce and he's looking forward to doing it again

We've all seen those infamous “Welcome to Hell” banners that have greeted British teams upon arrival into Istanbul down the years., But Mohamed Diomande reckons the reception Rangers get at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium tonight will be a lot closer to the Blue Heaven they’re used to back in Glasgow, writes Andy Newport in Istanbul.

The Turks are famed for their frenzied atmosphere but it’s nothing Diomande hasn’t experienced before. He felt the deafening roar of the Fenerbahce faithful when his old Nordsjaelland side visited back in September 2023. Up against a Yellow Canaries outfit that included ex-Ger Ryan Kent, the Ivory Coast ace and his Danish teammates went down 3-1 as Fenerbahce stirred up trouble in their intimidating caldron.

In the end, it was Diomande’s team that hushed their opponents as they stormed back to claim a 6-1 victory in the Conference League return clash. But the Rangers ace loved the experience of playing at the ear-splitting Saracoglu. And he reckons the noise and passion levels are on a par with the electric Ibrox nights that have supercharged Rangers’ run to the Europa League last 16.

He said: “When I was at my old club in Denmark we played against Fenerbahce and I remember playing against Ryan Kent. I think that was 18 months ago now. I don’t know if anyone has talked to him recently but I am really looking forward to the game.

“I think it is the same experience as Ibrox. They are going to be standing, they are going to be making noise and they are not going to be sitting. When I played here, we lost our game. But the second game we beat them 6-1. That was a revenge.

“It is a great experience and what I want to achieve as a player, to play in these great stadiums. I love the pressure and I think I perform under pressure. I think it is going to be a level up [from Olympiakos and Old Trafford]. My teammates are used to it. It is the same thing as Ibrox on European nights. It is going to be the same noise and we just need to get through it and do our best. Obviously we have been good in the European games. We are looking forward to it.”

Former Ibrox boss Philippe Clement might not have been a fan of Fener boss Jose Mourinho. But Diomande is a huge admirer.

His close friend and former Chelsea star Michael Essien played under the Special One during their time together at Stamford Bridge and Diomande has made sure not to miss the chance to grill his pal for information on the legendary Portuguese coach’s methods. And he reckons the two-time Champions League winner will be keen to put on a show against Barry Ferguson’s men.

He said: “Fenerbahce have great experience and they will try to play football, so they will be open. Going there we will try to win the game first.

“If we don’t, we know we have everything to play for when we come back home. They are going to be open, they are not going to defend. They want to attack. Then we can break them down.

“Mourinho is a good coach and on the pitch they have some good players, some experienced players who have played in a high level. But we are only looking at ourselves, to dominate the game and win our fight. I spoke a lot about to Michael Essien and he told me stories about him and Mourinho. He loves African players and he pushed them. I am looking forward to play against him.”

Tonight’s continental clash on the Asian side of the Turkey’s largest city is a welcome distraction for a side toiling domestically. Saturday’s defeat to Motherwell was Gers’ third home loss on the spin but in Europa League action, Gers have found a way to lift the dire performance levels that have left them 16 points adrift of Celtic in the title race.

“Obviously we have to start the game better,” admitted Diomande. “The last two games we didn’t start well. We did well in one to come back and win the game at Kilmarnock but on Saturday we didn’t. We are looking forward to this game, we are going to start on the front foot and to try and dominate from the first minute.

“I hope [going into Europe will give us that energy again]. It is a different game, it is not the same as the league here. It is going to be more open, I hope so. We are going to try and do our best to get points. I believe in myself and I know I am going to push myself. These are the games that I wanted to play and I know my teammates are also going to push and dominate their direct opponent.”

The Ibrox squad are still getting to know their new caretaker boss. But as a central midfielder, Diomande is hoping to soak up as much as he can from Ferguson.

He said: ”Obviously I have seen some clips of him and I think he was an amazing player. He was a midfielder like me and is the coach now. I am happy he can let me get to my highest potential and help me get to where I want to be.

“He has played a lot of games for Rangers and he was a good midfielder. He is now my coach so I am happy he can help me reach my potential.”