Mohamed Diomande had to sit on his hands as Rangers saw their Premiership progress halted against Ross County and Dundee. He could give Philippe Clement’s side the thumbs up on Sunday, though, as victory over Hearts got them moving in the right direction once again.

The midfielder became the latest player to succumb to the Ibrox injury curse when a blow sustained in the Old Firm draw kept him out of action. At a time when Clement needed all of the class and quality he could muster, one of his most influential operators was consigned to the sidelines.

It was no surprise that Rangers looked a more accomplished outfit when Diomande returned for the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. He was cool, calm and composed on and off the ball and was rightly lauded for an eye-catching showing as Cyriel Dessers grabbed the headlines with the brace that set up a showdown against Celtic.

Clement attracted criticism for his observations regarding the improvement in performance at Dens Park just days after the abject showing in Dingwall. There was no doubt that Rangers were more like their familiar selves last time out.

“We’ve gone back to training and looked at what we did well against Hearts,” Diomande said. “The most important thing is that we look at ourselves and try to improve. The next game is against St Mirren and we need to get another win. But the performance against Hearts, that’s our level. We know when we play like that, nobody can compete against us.

“We’re just going to try to maintain the level that everybody expects us to be at. We also have big expectation levels for ourselves. We’ll do everything to make sure we don’t drop those levels.”

The five dropped points in back-to-back fixtures have changed the complexion of the title race. Celtic now lead the way heading into the split and are rightly favourites to lift the silverware ahead of the Old Firm final that will secure a double for either Clement or Brendan Rodgers. Rangers know themselves, however, that six wins earns them a place in the history books.

Diomande arrived in Glasgow just weeks after Clement’s side clinched the League Cup against Aberdeen. Few would have believed Rangers were capable of finding themselves in this position at this stage but Clement’s January acquisition is enthused by the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Yeah, that would be perfect for me [to win medals],” Diomande said. “That was one of the reasons I joined this team. I’ll do what I can to help the team, to make myself better and to make my team-mates better. I’m going to do that by working hard in training and by being there in the starting XI, giving my best for the team.”

If Diomande can find his best, Rangers have a shot at glory. The Ivorian has been an impressive presence in the middle of the park following his loan switch from FC Nordsjaelland, which Rangers will make permanent in the summer after committing themselves to a £4.5million fee.

Clement again enthused about the 22-year-old’s talent and potential in the aftermath of the semi-final victory. His performance was a reminder of both and again served to highlight just how big a miss he was during two wretched outings in the days beforehand.

“It’s alright,” Diomande said when asked about his thumb injury. “I feel a little bit of pain but it’s OK. I broke it during the Old Firm game. How did it happen? Well that’s the question! I don’t really remember how it happened!

“When it happened I thought I could play on. During the second half I started to played but I was felling a lot of pain. It’s very frustrating to miss games because I don’t play basketball! I play with my feet. But I had to say I could not really move.

“It was frustrating not to be in the team to help the other boys. I tried to play [against County and Dundee]. We tried to find a way that would allow me to be involved but I had a scan which showed I’d broke my thumb and I needed to have the surgery. But it’s back in place now and I’m back playing now.”

Thankfully for Clement, the issue that afflicted Diomande was not a serious one. That hasn’t always been the case with other players this term, of course, and the Belgian has suffered as a result of the widespread absences throughout his tenure.

The squad will not be back to full fitness before the end of the campaign. There is strength and depth to it right now, however, and Clement must make the most of those options during a run of fixtures that will define the season.

“That’s why we have players on the bench,” Diomande said. “We depend on them also and know they can bring energy. Everybody in the team is working hard and we know what we need to do, whether you are starting or not starting.

“When players come in to the team, they always do an amazing job because they’re going to do what the other guys were doing, to push and work hard for the team. It’s all about the team. We believe in each other and we will continue pushing for each other.”