Rangers’ emphatic 4-1 victory over Nice in the Europa League on Thursday night was a performance to remember, and one name dominated the post-match discussions: Hamza Igamane.
The 22-year-old Moroccan forward stole the spotlight with a stunning six-minute brace, tripling his Rangers goal tally in a coming-of-age display that justified Philippe Clement’s bold team selection. Eyebrows were raised when Igamane was picked ahead of Cyriel Dessers, but the decision paid off spectacularly.
Clement praised Igamane’s performance, highlighting his pivotal role in the triumph at the Allianz Riviera. “I told him this was not an exam, but he’s making good steps,” Clement said. “He got the chance because he’s proving the right things in training—his work attitude, what he does with the ball. He was crucial today to win the duels.”
Igamane’s relentless pressing and physicality drew comparisons to a young Alfredo Morelos. His all-around contribution, including assisting Vaclav Cerny’s deflected opener in the 35th minute, epitomized his growing maturity and impact.
Clement emphasized the importance of Igamane’s unselfish play. “It was crucial in this game against Nice because they’re really strong in one-on-one pressing,” he explained. “If you don’t win those duels, you’re all the time under pressure and can’t keep the ball. He had a massive, important role today, and he did it brilliantly.”
Igamane’s performance is a testament to Rangers’ strategy of identifying hidden gems in the transfer market. Nils Koppen, instrumental in bringing Igamane to Ibrox, has championed the club’s outside-the-box approach, a philosophy now paying dividends on Europe’s biggest stages.
With this victory, Rangers remain well-positioned in their Europa League campaign, buoyed by the rise of a new star whose potential is becoming increasingly evident. As Clement concluded: “It’s good that fans and everyone can see the potential in this group.”