'I told him': New Rangers signing uncovered as current star keeps Danny Rohl secret under wraps

Tochi Chukwuani cost Rangers the best part of £4 million from Austrian side Sturm Graz. The Danish midfielder’s move was confirmed just hours before Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen that maintained their challenge for the Premiership title crown.

Post-match, it was Mohamed Diomande on media duties. A good choice, given that he played with Chukwuani for a few years in Denmark and is well-placed to explain what Rangers fans can expect.

"Tochi has been a close friend to me since we were 14, 15,” explained Diomande. “I played with him in Denmark [with Nordsjaelland]. He's good lad, technically very good. He's strong on the ball and I'm happy that he's here. In my opinion he's going to contribute all his abilities and he's going to help us to where we want to go.

“I think in the middle of the park he's going to help with his ability. I think we don't have the kind of player he is because he's more physical and he's technically good under pressure. He's got the ability and that's what we also need. Now that we know that we have a very difficult moment with Bas [Connor Barron], he's injured. We know that we can count on Tochi to bring what he has to bring for the team.”

Chukwuani played against both Rangers and Celtic earlier this season in the Europa League, so he had an indication of what to expect from Scottish football. Nevertheless, he sought counsel from Diomande on whether he should join the Ivorian in Glasgow.

Conversations between Chukwuani and Diomande

"Yeah, he spoke to me,” said Diomande. “Obviously, I'm going to give him good advice because I know it's a massive club and I know it's a next step for him. That's what we all want to experience, to play in these big clubs. I think he wanted to make the decision himself but I told him what was right.

“He has the experience also. I think his move from Denmark, he's played in Austria and he's played a lot of games in the European game. He's been watching the Scottish league a lot because he's been watching me as a friend. I think he knows what I'm going to do.”

Chukwuani will not be the last player through the door at Ibrox during this transfer window. Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens is very close to signing from Westerlo, while Rangers have also been linked with another Dane in Wolfsburg winger Andreas Skov Olsen plus Sunderland duo Dan Neil (midfielder) and Romain Mundle (winger). Any new arrivals will come into a squad brimming with confidence under head coach Danny Rohl.

“We have very good momentum,” said Diomande. “I would say it's all starting from the training ground because we all try to be positive at training and we try to help each other. We just focus on what we can do to make ourselves better. I think that's the most important thing. People don't see it and they don't notice it but we are really helping each other at training to become better.”

That camaraderie was on display at Pittodrie on Sunday by winning in the north-east for the first time since December 2022. “We wanted to win because the manager gave a speech before the game and we knew that we didn't win here since three years I remember,” added Diomande.

“Obviously we were in bad conditions to play, it was very windy and rainy. We also wanted to win for ourselves but also the fans travelled three hours away. I'm happy that we did what we had to do.”

What did Rohl say in his speech? "Confidential!” smiled Diomande.