Excited Rangers fans send firm Hamza Igamane message as Clement makes 12-month claim
09/15/2024 11:15 AM
Rangers fans have been calling out for a new hero to step into their midst, pretty much since Alfredo Morelos left the building.
The Ibrox support have always had a penchant for the enigmatic, the brave and the brilliant, with that talismanic void sitting empty since probably even before Alfredo moved on last summer.
But just like a young Colombian buffalo struck his way into the hearts of the Rangers fans, there's another kid excavated from an emerging market who shows signs of promise that he might just be Morelos' heir.
Step forward Hamza Igamane who – despite not scoring against Dundee United at Tannadice – left a strong impression on the Rangers support.
Rangers fans excited by Hamza Igamane
Rangers manager Philippe Clement talked up Hamza Igamane heading into the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United.
The 21-year-old Moroccan joined the club in the summer from FAR Rabat but only made his Ibrox debut in the crushing 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.
Whilst it was Cyriel Dessers who was given the nod at Tannadice, Igamane was given 20 minutes to show Rangers fans what he could do.
In a positive and brave display summed up by a stunning touch, turn and pass in the middle of the park which should've really seen Tom Lawrence score a second, Gers fans are encouraged by the striker's early promise.
So much so that they've taken to social media platform X to pay homage to Igamane's early start to life at Ibrox.
Other Rangers fans have been getting a tad excited by Igamane, with one claiming that the young striker has 'the best chest control in world football'.
One fan even said that Igamane has now filled 'the gaping void that Alfredo left', adding that the hitman is 'probably the best player ever to play in Scotland, maybe Europe'.
Another even said that Igamane 'might be the best player I've ever seen'.
But whilst there's been plenty of hyperbole and fun being had by Rangers fans – something which is probably long overdue – there's been a more serious message to Philippe Clement.
Gers fans, frustrated with Cyriel Dessers' at-times underrated contribution, want to see Hamza Igamane in from the start.
Clement: Rangers couldn't afford Igamane in 12 months
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was asked about the role of Hamza Igamane in the win v Dundee United after the match.
Speaking candidly, the Ibrox boss claims that if Rangers had slept on the signing of the Moroccan, then in a year's time he'd be too expensive to sign.
Rangers paid Moroccan club FAR Rabat a reported £1.7m to sign Igamane in the summer but it's only now the Gers support are getting a glimpse of the hitman.
Clement pointed to the youngster's adaptation to life in Scotland whilst the Belgian also appeared to confirm a pre-season injury problem.
"Hamza, like I said when we signed him," said Clement. "It's a big talent.
"We had to do it now because if it would've been one year later we could never afford (those) kind of players.
"He's coming straight out of Moroccan competition, Moroccan culture, so everything is new for him.
"He was also injured when he came so it took time to get him more fit and that's what we're going to do the next weeks and the next months to give him opportunities to grow as a young player.
"But you see already a lot of good base qualities."
Later Clement added: "It’s good now that people finally can see also the potential of some players, the way that Hamza came in.
"I understand that people from outside say, why do they take a guy out of Morocco who never played in Scotland or at the highest level? I understand.
"But I think people saw already some things today and it can only improve because they’re all young boys."
