MOHAMED DIOMANDE believes a tough pre-season has set Rangers up for the new campaign.
Derek McInnes’ men drew 0-0 with West Ham United in the final warm-up fixture ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.
The Light Blues head north to face Dundee United on Friday night and midfielder Diomande feels the squad are raring to go.
Now the Ivory Coast international wants the team to get off to the perfect start at Tannadice.
Speaking to RangersTV, he said: “I am looking forward to the new season. The first games of the season in my two years here have not been good enough.
“I hope we can get all three points against Dundee United.
“Against West Ham, we controlled the game, especially in the first half. 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.
“Pre-season has been amazing for me, but we have worked hard. We ran a lot in Spain and had a lot of training, but I am happy with how I feel fitness-wise.
“I am where I need to be for the season.”
The summer has seen the arrivals of fellow midfielders Dan Neil, Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic to add further options in the middle of the park.
With Belgian World Cup star Nico Raskin also returning to the squad following his exploits for his country, gaffer McInnes has options in the engine room ahead of the Premiership opener.
Diomande believes having to fight for a start is part and parcel of life at Rangers and he will be doing all he can to earn a starting spot.
He added: “There is competition in the midfield; 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.
“You can see relationships building in games. We are getting along well, and we are trying to implement everything the gaffer is showing us.
“We are getting stronger game by game. We have a lot of new players, and they are getting used to Ibrox.
“But they are enjoying it, and they like that pressure.”
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