Mohammed Diomande insists Rangers are travelling to Tynecastle with confidence, belief and a clear focus on the task immediately in front of them as they prepare to face league leaders Hearts in a pivotal Scottish Premiership clash.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Derek McInnes's side in Gorgie, the midfielder struck a measured but determined tone, reflecting a squad that feels it is moving in the right direction under Danny Röhl without getting carried away by wider narratives around the title race.
“Yeah, we are all doing well,” Diomande said.
“We are going to prepare now and be ready for what the manager is about to offer us to go and win the game.”
Rangers arrive in Edinburgh on the back of a strong domestic run, unbeaten in the league since Röhl’s appointment and steadily rebuilding momentum after a turbulent opening to the campaign.
That run, Diomande believes, has naturally lifted confidence within the group – but not to the point of complacency.
“Obviously we have a good run now and we put ourselves in this situation,” he said.
“The confidence is there, but we know it’s not going to be an easy game.
“We will go and do whatever we can to get the three points.”
Despite Hearts sitting nine points clear at the summit – albeit with Rangers holding a game in hand – Diomande was careful not to frame today as a defining moment in the title picture.
“There’s still a lot of games to go,” he explained.
“What is important for us now is to go on Sunday and try to get the result.
“I’m not going to say what is going to happen at the end of the season.
“What I’m focused on, and my teammates, is to go and get the three points.”
That grounded mindset has been a hallmark of Rangers approach under Röhl.
While results have improved, Diomande stressed that the atmosphere inside the dressing room has remained strong throughout the season, even during more difficult spells.
“We always had a good mood in the dressing room,” he said.
“We have top characters.
“Obviously, we didn’t start as we wanted, but it didn’t change anything really.
“We help each other. The new gaffer came in and he’s a positive guy.
“He’s really into the little details, and that’s what’s making us improve day by day.”
Diomande also admitted he is enjoying his football under the German coach but emphasised that progress is still ongoing.
“Yes, I think there’s still more to come,” he said.
““We work every day, we do video analysis, individual meetings.
“We are all open-minded and we all want to get better. There’s still more from a lot of us.”
Reflecting on the previous meeting with Hearts, a 2–0 defeat at Ibrox earlier in the season – still Rangers only league loss, Diomande acknowledged Rangers were not at their best on that occasion – but believes the circumstances have changed.
“They are where they are because they are doing really well,” he said.
““But maybe we were not at our best that day. This game is going to be a different one because we are also going there to win the game.
“I definitely think we are in a better place now.”
With Rangers seeking to close the gap at the top and Hearts looking to reassert their authority, this afternoon’s encounter promises to be a stern test of the Gers title credentials.