Diomande seeks better start from Rangers

[SNS] Mohamed Diomande admits Rangers have not started well enough over the past two seasons. The Ivory Coast international, 24, joined Rangers in the January of 2024 and the Ibrox side got off to a slow start in seasons 2024-25 and 2025-26, particularly the latter. Rangers, who have not won their opening Scottish Premiership game of the season since 2022, open their league campaign away to Dundee United at Tannadice on Friday evening. "The first games of the season in my two years here have not been good enough," Diomande told Rangers TV. "I will give my best, whether I am starting or not, as we want to get the win. The first game is important and we want to start the campaign well. I hope we can get all three points against Dundee United." Diomande played most of Rangers' 0-0 friendly draw with West Ham at Ibrox on Sunday. "Against West Ham, we controlled the game, especially in the first half," said the midfielder. "In the second half we were maybe a bit laid back and they had some chances. "We wanted to win the game but we got a clean sheet. All in all, we have had a good pre-season and we are ready for the season. I am where I need to be for the season." Diomande finds himself as one of many midfield options available to Rangers manager Derek McInnes after a busy summer of recruitment and a clutch of players retained from the previous campaign. "There is competition in the midfield," said Diomande. "It is something we wanted to make stronger this season. "The gaffer wanted more midfielders and he wants us to be strong and it is good to have competition and different players. "We push each other and we want to be better and make the team better. We want to do well and help each other. "You can see relationships building in games. We are getting along well and we are trying to implement everything the gaffer is showing us."