Mohamed Diomande can attest to the white-hot atmosphere within Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglou Stadium on European nights.

He’s sensed the noise steadily building in the vicinity hours before kick-off then felt its full force rain down from its steep banks upon walking out into the arena. 

He recognises why the experience has left many in his shoes dazed and confused down the years.

Still with a foothold in the contest, they regrouped and climbed a mountain in Denmark a week later. An astonishing 6-1 win in the second leg saw them advance on aggregate to send shockwaves around Europe.

It’s a lesson the Ivorian will share with his Ibrox team-mates as they prepare for their senses to be assaulted in Istanbul. Keep your cool and stay alive. Back yourself to finish the job back in Glasgow.

Nordsjaelland’s Diomande keeps a close eye on former Rangers winger Ryan Kent in Istanbul

Diomande lost out in the away leg but was part of the side that stunned the Turks 6-1 in Farum

Diomande and Rangers midfield sidekick Raskin are all smiles at the Sukru Saracoglou Stadium

‘I think it is the same experience as Ibrox,’ he said. ‘They are going to be standing, they are going to be making noise and they are not going to be sitting. I am looking forward to it again.

‘We lost our game, but the second game we beat them 6-1. That was a revenge.

‘Their team have great experience and they will try to play football so they will be open.

‘Going there, we will try to win the game first. If we don’t, we know we have everything (to do) when we come back home. They are not going to defend, they want to attack. Then we can break them down.’

Getting a handle on Rangers this season has been far from easy. Domestically, under Philippe Clement, the team failed to get any head of steam up.

Incapable of dominating matches against their Premiership rivals, they routinely shipped points whenever the moments of individual magic dried up. A title challenge never really materialised, with the last hope of silverware extinguished in the Scottish Cup by Queen’s Park of the Championship.

There is probably no logical reason why such an unimpressive side seems to find something in Europe, but find something they most certainly do.

Dejected Rangers stars troop off after their latest Ibrox setback against Motherwell

Good enough to take a point from Olympiakos and Tottenham while pushing Manchester United all the way, the metamorphosis is extraordinary.

Under Clement, not only did they qualify for the knock-out round. They claimed a top-eight place on merit.

For all they performed dreadfully under Barry Ferguson in the home defeat to Motherwell on Saturday, you would not be in the least bit surprised if they turned it on again in such a cauldron tonight. It’s just what they tend to do.

‘It is a great experience and what I want to achieve as a player, to play in these great stadiums,’ added Diomande.

‘I love the pressure and I think I perform under pressure. I think it is going to be a level up (from Olympiakos and Old Trafford). But my team-mates are used to it. It is the same thing as Ibrox on European nights. It is going to be the same noise and we just need to get through it and do our best.’

One theory on the extraordinary contrast in performances and results is that Clement benefited from the more open style of European sides. 

Diomande and Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma keep their eye on the ball during a 1-1 draw at Ibrox

To that end, despite what Diomande believes, a Fenerbahce side coached by the notoriously cautious Jose Mourinho might prove to be a tougher nut to crack than others.

One thing is for certain, though. If Rangers play with the same lack of intensity that’s been evident in their recent domestic jousts, they are in for a very long evening.

‘Obviously we have to start the game better,’ Diomande warned. ‘The last two games we didn’t start well. We did well in one to come back and win the game (at Kilmarnock) but on Saturday we didn’t. We are looking forward to this game. We are going to start on the front foot and try to dominate from the first minute.

‘I hope going into Europe will give us that energy again. It is a different game, it is not the same as the league here. It is going to be more open, I hope. We are going to try and do our best to get points.

‘Obviously, we have been good in the European games. We are looking forward to it.’

As is normally the case, Mourinho’s shadow is cast all over this affair. Diomande has heard all the anecdotes from those who know him best. Now he’d like to deliver the kind of display which would have the legendary Portuguese sitting up and taking note.

‘I spoke a lot to Michael Essien and he told me stories about him and Mourinho,’ explained Diomande. ‘He loves African players and he pushed them. I am looking forward to play against his team.

Diomande scores to increase Rangers’ lead during an outstanding 4-1 win away in Nice

‘Mourinho is a good coach and on the pitch they have some good players, some experienced players who have played at a high level. But we are only looking at ourselves, to dominate the game and win our fight.

‘I believe in myself and I know I am going to push myself. These are the games that I wanted to play and I know my teammates are also going to push and dominate their direct opponent.’

Twenty odd years ago, Ferguson routinely demonstrated that he was not easily fazed by the many challenges of performing on such a stage.

In what feels like the blink of an eye, though, the 47-year-old had been plucked from a radio studio and cast as the club’s best hope of salvation in the short term.

From the Indodrill Stadium in Alloa to facing Mourinho in Istanbul in three years, you could forgive the former Rangers skipper if privately he finds it all a little bit surreal.

The Ivorian in the thick of the action against Olympiakos as Rangers claimed a draw in Athens

Whatever happens across the next week, though, Diomande feels he’ll be better for the experience of coming under the interim manager’s wing.

‘Obviously I have seen some clips of him and he was an amazing player,’ he said.

‘I am happy that he can let me get to my highest potential and help me get to where I want to be. He has played a lot of games for Rangers and he was a good midfielder.

‘He is now my coach so I am happy he can help me reach my potential.’