Mohamed Diomande calls for ‘massive performance’ from Rangers

Mohamed Diomande believes Rangers will need to produce their best performance of the season to beat William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts on Monday night.

With four fixtures remaining, Danny Rohl’s side head to Tynecastle four points behind the Jambos and with the title out of their hands following a damaging 3-2 defeat by Motherwell at Ibrox last weekend.

Asked if Rangers will need to put in their best display of the campaign to emerge with three points against a Gorgie side unbeaten at home in the league this term, midfielder Diomande said: “Yes we will. We need to put on a massive performance and work hard.

“It might not come easy for us, but we’ll do everything to win the game.

“I believe we will win the game.”

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international says character will be key in the final games of the season, with reigning champions Celtic, one point ahead of Rangers going into their game against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday lunchtime, also in the mix.

He said: “We might not just win games by doing what the coach taught us or the tactical things we work on before.

“It will depend on ourselves. If Hearts or the other teams are going to play dirty, we need to stand up.

“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.

“We know it wasn’t the best game, but we wanted to get a result against Motherwell. But we know we’re still in the run and can’t give up now.

“We have four more games to play that we’re looking to win. We’re really motivated to do so.

“It’s disappointing because we know far behind we were, 13 points (when Rohl took over last October).

“We came back to one and now it’s four again. We know what’s happened before and we don’t have many games left. Every minute will be very important now. Last Sunday, the first 45 were very disappointing.

“But we’re still in it so we’ll do everything to beat our direct opponents, who are also trying to win the league, to be champions.”