Unlucky 13 for Amad at Ibrox but loan stint helped him handle Red Devils heat

Tav knew his old team-mate had what it took to dazzle for United

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

AMAD DIALLO only managed 13 games in a Rangers shirt.

But James Tavernier reckons the Manchester United superstar was lucky to experience a loan stint at Ibrox.

Because he's convinced it prepared the young winger to go and excel at Old Trafford.

Tavernier will come face-to-face with his old Gers team-mate in tonight's mouthwatering Europa League clash.

Diallo arrived in Glasgow under ex-boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst in January 2022 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old but only showed flashes of his true quality.

The Ivory Coast kid was swallowed up by an Old Firm derby at Parkhead when Rangers were hammered 3-0 by Celtic. And he couldn't get off the bench in the Europa League Final in Seville against Eintracht Frankfurt as they suffered penalty shoot-out agony.

But Diallo did start the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden that season as van Bronckhorst's side beat Hearts to lift the trophy.

And Tavernier saw enough of his ability then to know he'd be a future success at Man United.

Now, the wide man is one of Ruben Amorim's key players for the Red Devils. Despite the Portuguese coach's disastrous start as gaffer, Diallo has been a shining light and is now a fans' favourite at Old Trafford.