Mohamed Diomande has revealed his love affair with Rangers began long before transfer interest last month.

The Ibrox midfielder, 22, was photographed in a Rangers shirt as a child back in Ghana and has kept track of the club ever since.

Diomande - who joined from FC Nordsjælland in January - had been gifted a Rangers shirt by scout Joe Mulberry 11 years ago while training in Ghana.

And ever since Diomande has followed Rangers leading to his transfer to the club.

Quizzed on the historic snap of himself in Rangers gear as a kid, Diomande said: "I got the shirt from a guy who scouted me from Abidjan when I was 11, he's called Joe Mulberry from England.

"He scouted me from Abidjan and he got me a shirt from Rangers so I was wearing that for some personal training in Ghana when I was in the academy.

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"I've been following Rangers a lot and I've seen what they have achieved."

The fact Diomande could trade in his replica shirt from all those years ago for an official player issue kit at Ibrox made his transfer switch all the more special.

"I would also say it was one of the key moments that made the deal happen because I was in love with the club already from a young age."

And quizzed on scoring his first goal at Ibrox, in the 5-0 rout of Hearts, Diomande beamed: "It's amazing to score in front of your fans and for them to cheer for you. I hope there's many more coming. I'm just happy to score my first goal at Ibrox."