Rangers star responds directly to recent Ibrox struggles, as dressing room insider shares ‘pressure’ expectations.

The Ivorian midfielder acknowledges that dealing with pressure on a daily basis is part of being a Rangers player.

Mohamed Diomande admits Rangers have been under pressure in recent weeks following a string of poor performances, but he believes their League Cup comeback win over Motherwell shows they are on the right track.

Gers manager Philippe Clement was under intense scrutiny ahead of Sunday’s semi-final against the Steelmen at Hampden Park, after his side fell nine points behind Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen. However, the Belgian could breathe a sigh of relief after his team rallied in the second half to overcome a one-goal deficit and advance to the final against Celtic on December 15.

Diomande, who came on to replace injured attacker Tom Lawrence in the first half, believes progress is being made at Ibrox as Rangers prepare for their Europa League match against Olympiacos in Athens on Thursday night.

The Ivorian admitted: “There’s been a lot of pressure obviously, we’re not going to hide it. I mean we’ve had poor performances lately. It’s all about bouncing back and I think we are on the right way to get to the level we expect ourselves and the coaches also and what everybody expects like the fans. So we are getting there.

“It is a healthy competition and we are all working hard in training and I’m giving my best to show the coach and to show my team mates that I am ready for whatever minutes I’m going to get. We are a group. I’m proud of the group and I’m going to give everything I can when I get playing time.

Diomande hasn’t started many games in the last month, but he’s declared himself ready to assist his teammates in whatever role Clement wants him to play following Lawrence’s injury, which is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

“Olympiacos are a big team, but we have also shown that we can win games away from home. It’s going to be a tough game but we’ll try and win the three points. It’s going to take hard work, determination and we are going to prepare ourselves on Tuesday and Wednesday to do what the coach says we should do win the game.

“It’s going to be a good feeling,” Diomande continued, when asked if he expects a red-hot reception from the Greek Super League giants. “It’s always a good experience to play in a big stadium like Ibrox. We are all used to that, we are used to the noise and for me personally, it will be an amazing experience to play there. I’m ready to step up and give my best for the team.”

Rangers have a busy fixture schedule ahead of next month’s final against Celtic, but Diomande says they will go all out to retain the trophy.

He added, “It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a long way away so we can’t really focus on that now, but when it comes we are going to be ready to fight. We want to keep the trophy, that’s what you want to do.”

Rangers vs Celtic Premier Sports Cup Final’s unusual kickoff time and ticket prices have been confirmed.

In other news, Rangers vs Celtic Premier Sports Cup Final’s unusual kickoff time and ticket prices have been confirmed.