View: Clement has to haul off Rangers ace at HT, BBC pundit spot on with comment

Rangers lead Malmo 1-0 at half-time during their Europa League tie, but Philippe Clement has a decision to make at the midway stage.

The Gers got off to a stellar start with summer arrival Nedim Bajrami managing to bag a goal on his European debut inside the opening seconds.

Although the strike was undoubtedly the main talking point of the half, Mohamed Diomande also managed to get himself a yellow card after pulling down a Malmo attacker.

While the foul wasn’t the worst that has ever been seen, it has now left the midfielder on a “tightrope” for the rest of the clash, according to BBC Pundit Steven Thompson – and he’s spot on.

“It’s a clear pull on the winger, who had a yard on Diomande,” he said live on BBC Sportsound (26 September, 18:01 pm).

“Not the worst foul to give away but he is now on a tightrope for the rest of the game.”

Mohamed Diomande is the perfect change for Rangers

With the Gers going into the second half of the game with the lead, there’s no doubt that Philippe Clement will want to leave Sweden with all three points.

The Belgian made a big call with his squad as he named Neraysho Kasanwirjo at left-back due to Ridvan Yilmaz’s injury and Jefte’s suspension.

Diomande is one of the Gers’ best defensive midfielders and has done a solid job in ensuring the visitors have a clean sheet intact.

But, with a yellow card hanging over his head, the Ivory Coast international may find himself more reserved in the challenges he makes.

Which, for Rangers, wouldn’t be ideal. The Gers have players such as Dujon Sterling, whose versatility is becoming a “problem at Rangers according to Stephen McGinn (24 September), and he could easily fulfil that role.

Kieran Dowell is yet another name that could be in with a shout at coming on and filling in the gap left by Diomande, should he be taken off.

It would put Clement a substitute down with 45 minutes to go but, having one less substitute is a far better outcome than going down to 10 men in this key fixture.

In other Rangers news, Alan Brazil has taken a swipe at the Gers.

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