‘Barry Ferguson to cash in on Hamza Igamane despite Rangers form’
Hamza Igamane might already be set for a Rangers exit if Barry Ferguson remains in charge at Ibrox this summer.
The Gers have achieved so much under Ferguson already, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals as well as fighting back to overturn two-goal deficits on two separate occasions in the Scottish Premiership.
While the league title race is dead and buried, with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side set to lift the trophy, the Light Blues have not taken their foot off the gas, proven by the dramatic comeback against Dundee on Saturday, 29 March.
With goals from Simon Murray, Joe Shaughnessy, and one for each side by Scott Tiffoney, it took efforts from James Tavernier, Tom Lawrence, and a dramatic added-time winner from Cyriel Dessers to seal the win.
After beating their Old Firm rivals at Celtic Park, it was important to keep the momentum going ahead of a European clash against Athletic Bilbao, and the Gers certainly delivered at Dens Park.
Barry Ferguson chooses Cyriel Dessers over Hamza Igamane
The current interim manager has never hidden his criticisms of Dessers, who continues to surprise Rangers fans with his rollercoaster of a career at Ibrox.
However, he chose to keep faith in the 30-year-old and replaced Igamane after just 65 minutes, even despite the youngster’s dramatic Old Firm derby winner at Parkhead last time out, seeing him hooked again when the Gers need goals.
| Cyriel Dessers v Dundee | Hamza Igamane v Dundee |
| 90 minutes played | 65 minutes played |
| 12 shots (9 on target) | 3 shots (1 on target) |
| 0 big chances created | 2 big chances created |
| 38 touches | 45 touches |
| 8 duels contested | 9 duels contested |
The Morocco international has also been benched for two of the last four league matches, with fans sometimes questioning the manager’s decisions, though it seemed to work out in the end as Dessers scored a much-needed added-time winner.
It still leaves questions over Igamane’s future at Ibrox, given that Dessers has long been linked with an exit but now looks to be Ferguson’s first-choice striker, which could be interesting if he is given the Rangers job permanently this summer.
Hamza Igamane exit on the cards as Rangers snubs continue
After just a single season in Scotland, the 22-year-old has European clubs lining up for his signature, with Football Insider understanding that Everton are forging a plan to secure Igamane’s signature.
With the kind of transfer fees that are being floated around Ibrox, it could be too much for Ferguson to ignore once the summer transfer window opens, especially if he thinks he can handle matters without him.
Indeed Mick Brown has told Football Insider that the club’s financial situation would dictate “huge” offers for Igamane forcing Rangers to consider them.
Igamane is a young, tenacious, exciting forward who is always ready to give more than 100 per cent for the team, but if he continues to play second-fiddle to Dessers, it will only be a matter of time before he gets frustrated.
Having netted 18 times in 38 games, and with the number of teams keeping tabs on the player, the Gers might be able to strike up a bidding war, which would then fund numerous summer signings.
Fans at Ibrox have been nothing but complimentary of their new, young striker, but with Ferguson preferring 30-year-old Dessers up front since his arrival, something does not seem quite right behind the scenes.
Dessers’ 12 league goals this season should be nothing to ignore, but after the development that Igamane has shown in such a short amount of time, an explanation is warranted for why he continues to be snubbed.
Without one, the club might already be ready to sanction a big-money exit this summer and a rare example of successful player trading at Ibrox.