I was the original Amad Diallo - I saw Rangers become a monster that ate Paul Le Guen alive

Lee Martin knows how tough it is to crack Rangers as a 19-year-old winger - even if you’re rated one of Man United’s prize prospects.

So he’s not surprised to see Amad Diallo rise to stardom from an underwhelming Ibrox loan. Diallo, 22, faces former club Gers on Thursday in the best form of his young life. The Ivory Coast ace has played 31 games this season, scoring a Manchester derby winner and a late equaliser at Liverpool.

Diallo’s stunning 12-minute hat-trick rescued Reds against Southampton last week. Gers fans are left wishing more of that magic was on display from Diallo in 2022. Like Martin, who played 10 times for Paul Le Guen in 2006, Diallo didn’t light it up on loan. Still playing for Ramsgate at 37, Martin loves what the 22-year-old is producing for Ruben Amorim ahead of the Battle Of Britain clash. He said: “Diallo is a fantastic player. I’ve watched him have a great impact; he’s done really well.

“He’d been in and out but is now at the forefront after scoring a few goals. He’s been excellent. Bringing energy, legs, enthusiasm, drive, the determination that youngsters possess - and Man United might’ve been missing.

“It’s refreshing to see. He fits into that system, has that licence to get further forward in wide areas. He’s a breath of fresh air and the one that ignites them.”

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was playing title catch-up when Diallo joined Gers in January 2022. The then £37m United signing from Atalanta scored three goals and played an hour of the Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts. But he was a bit-part player. Six of his 13 appearances were starts and he didn’t manage a minute in Rangers’ storming Europa League Final run.

Martin understands how even Man United pedigree can’t help you off the Ibrox