Rangers head coach Danny Röhl has confirmed that midfielder Mohamed Diomande will not be travelling to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, meaning he will remain available for Rangers during the congested festive period.
While the news benefits the squad, Röhl acknowledged the personal disappointment for the player and stressed the importance of supporting him through the setback.
The Ibrox boss addressed the situation candidly and said: “On one side, you are happy he can stay.
“On the other side, you are happy for the team, but you feel for him.
“He wanted to play in this competition.”
Ivory Coast international Diomande, who has shown flashes of quality since joining the club but has not yet found consistent form, now has an unexpected window to focus on development, rhythm, and tactical integration under Röhl.
The manager sees this as an opportunity rather than a misfortune.
He explained: “Some players have made big steps forward in the last weeks, some smaller steps.
“This is the challenge. If you improve our players, then we have a better team.”
While external observers may focus on the missed international call-up, Röhl believes the psychological component is equally crucial.
Managing Diomande’s mindset and ensuring he channels disappointment into progress will be a significant part of the coaching staff’s role.
The head coach compared the process to working with striker Bojan Miovski, whose confidence has grown following one-to-one sessions and recent goals.
He said: “A lot of it is confidence. You have to give minutes, belief, and opportunities.
“Then step by step, they must deliver.”
Röhl has shown a consistent emphasis on personal engagement, speaking directly with players to identify areas of growth and build trust.
Diomande, in many ways, fits the manager’s long-term profile: athletic, technical, versatile, and mouldable.
The coming weeks will be crucial not only for Rangers season but for Diomande’s trajectory within the squad.
December’s demanding run offers chances for minutes, and staying at Ibrox rather than travelling to AFCON ensures he remains available for both domestic and European fixtures.
Despite the disappointment, Röhl framed the situation as a chance to elevate Diomande: “The job is to make the players better.
“If they improve, we have a better team.”
With the manager focusing on building confidence and tactical clarity, Rangers hope a motivated Diomande can use this period as a springboard - one that helps both his personal development and the club’s push for silverware.
The boss said: “It’s about balance. I am not a coach who just asks for experience. I like to play with young, exciting players.
“But around these young players, it’s good to have players who understand what it means.”
Rangers will however, be without defender Nasser Djiga, who has been called up to the Burkina Faso squad for AFCON.