B.B.C Sports Has Igamane announced himself as Rangers’ main man?
Rangers manager Phillipe Clement said Hamza Igamane’s first European start was “not an exam.”
If it had been, the 22-year-old attacker would have received a very good grade.
After scoring two goals and providing an assist in the astonishing 4-1 Europa League victory in Nice, the Moroccan, who led the line instead of Cyriel Dessers, received high accolades from analysts, players and his boss.
With Danilo available domestically, Clement stated that Igamane is “in competition” with the duo for the solitary striker position in the team.
He stated that the winner will be “whoever is in the best shape”.
Igamane’s performance in France raises the question of whether he is the right guy to lead Rangers’ line.
‘Unbelievable poise and precision.’
When the Rangers’ lineup graphic was released, Igamane’s name stood out.
Clement stated that he has been taking “good steps” in training, which earned him his start.
And, considering that the Ibrox side’s inner conflict does not appear to go overseas, this turned out to be the ideal setting to let Igamane free.
Igamane faltered at his initial glimpse of the goal, but he quickly shown his will and drive to go in and among the goals.
His power and precision set up Vaclav Cerny’s opening, and he used his razor-sharp reflexes to pounce on farcical Nice defence for the third.
He stretched, stole, nutmegged, and slotted home for his second and the Rangers’ fourth, demonstrating amazing confidence and calm.
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson described it as a “wonderful goal” on Sportsound, adding, “You’ve got to give Igamane so much credit.” “He has unbelievable composure and accuracy.”
In sharp contrast, when replacement Dessers missed from five yards out later in the game, the Sportsound analyst could only say “oh dear,” while colleague Neil McCann claimed he “felt sorry” for the striker.
‘Igamane should anticipate tougher games’
While the euphoria over Igamane’s performance was deserved – and possibly necessary at Ibrox right now – there must be a proviso. He was facing a dreadful Nice defence.
If this were an exam, the Ligue 1 team would have failed spectacularly.
“Igamane can expect a lot tougher games,” Thompson continued. “But while he is not going to run channels or win flick-ons, he takes the ball really well on his chest.”
Clement noted the big forward’s pushing and duels-winning abilities as another factor for his inclusion in the XI.
Those talents should translate to playing against crowded defenders in the Scottish Premiership, although Igamane has only played 203 minutes of top-flight football.
Among that, he has shown flashes of finesse but nothing as complete as the performance in Nice to make his case to start ahead of Dessers and Danilo.
And his management verified that his youth is not a hindrance.
“I want to see the hunger and desire to become better, then I’ll give chances to young players,” Clement replied. “I don’t mind their age, it’s about how they perform in training and games.”
Igamane’s game was not deserving of an A+, but there was plenty of opportunity for battle and fire. Something not typically stated about the Rangers this season.
What are your thoughts?
Rangers fans, what do you make of Igamane’s impact? What about the triumph in Nice?
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