During the year’s last international break, a number of Rangers first-team players are preparing to represent their nations.
The expectation of playing international matches has already caused the campaign to be suspended twice, with November’s international week serving as the last respite before a demanding four-month schedule of games.
Although a number of Rangers players will be travelling abroad to serve their nation, one player has been abruptly removed from his national team this time.
Ivory Coast was visited by Mohamed Diomande. Last season, Mohamed Diomande was at the focus of a global tug-of-war between Ghana and Ivory Coast, two West African countries.
Following a £4.3 million loan-to-buy move from FC Nordsjaelland last January, the 23-year-old midfielder, who is a vital member of Rangers, was prepared to advance to the international scene.
Dio had started to establish himself as a mainstay of the country’s national team squads after choosing to play for his birth country of Ivory Coast instead of his adoptive Ghana.
Rangers supporters will take note, however, that Diomande has been left out of Emerse Fae’s most recent Ivory Coast team despite some criticism of the midfielder’s performances at Ibrox.
A Rangers star falls in the hierarchy Mohamed Diomande has not been included to the Ivory Coast team because the Elephants are scheduled to play Zambia (A) and Chad (H) in AFCON Qualification during this most recent international break.
Fans will be surprised that Dio was left out of the starting lineup, even though the Rangers midfielder faces fierce competition to make the national squad.
Mohamed Diomande was not present when Ivory Coast announced their most recent roster; instead, a number of well-known players were called up. Jean Aholou (Angers), Armani Lazare (Union Saint-Gilloise), Dorgeles Maho (FC Nordsjaelland), Fofaka Seko (Al-Nassr), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), and Hamed Traore (Auxerre) were instead called up by Ivory Coast in the middle of the pitch.
The fact that Mohamed Diomande played 90 minutes against Hearts at Ibrox the day after the squad was revealed five days ago dispels any rumours that the choice was made because of an injury.
Since making his debut against Gabon in July, Diomande has earned four caps for the Ivory Coast national team.
CLICK HERE FOR MOREÂ
