Igamane ‘to start again’ for Rangers after ‘sad truth about appalling Dessers’
Hamza Igamane is the only option to start for Rangers in this weekend’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone, according to Ally McCoist.
Despite an early controversial penalty scare, the Gers picked up a big 4-1 win over Nice on Thursday night (28th November) in the Europa League, and starting for the first time since the end of September the Moroccan played a big part with two well-taken goals.
The 22-year-old’s excellent outing was in contrast to that of Cyriel Dessers, who came off the bench to replace him, only to miss a glaring chance to get on the scoresheet.
With just minutes left on the clock, the 29-year-old fired an effort wide from close range with the goal gaping, and former Rangers hero McCoist but the “appalling” miss down to a lack of confidence, insisting Igamane must keep his place over the Nigerian, and Danilo, at the weekend.
McCoist said on TNT Sports shortly after Dessers’ late miss the Gers could have had more (9.54pm): “I mean outwith that chance, that appalling miss there, there’s been other chances. Before Rangers scored think about the three versus one.”
Then over a replay of the effort he added: “Look at this. This is good, he knows the centre-back’s missed it. Just put your foot through it. I mean, I don’t know, he panics. It looks very much like a panic there. Just put your foot… strike the ball, put your foot through it and watch it hit the back of the net.
“Do you know what it was? It was the finish of a man with no confidence to be brutally honest, sadly.”
As commentator Rory Hamilton suggested Clement has a “big” decision over who to start in the next game, with Danilo not in the European squad, McCoist cut in: “Rory, there’s only one man can start Saturday.”
Philippe Clement backed to keep Hamza Igamane in Rangers XI
Football Insider Opinion
It would be harsh if Philippe Clement does not keep Igamane in his starting lineup for Sunday’s game.
The 22-year-old has surely justified keeping his place in the side, and it would feel unjust to overlook him after what he did against Nice.
He should be brimming with confidence after that performance, putting him in a strong position to get his first Scottish Premiership goals for Rangers if started, which is exactly what the under-pressure Belgian boss needs for such a limp domestic campaign.
While there can be no denying Dessers has done a good job and scored plenty of goals for the club, he has also missed a number of chances, just as he did in the Europa League this week.
It could therefore, be more of a risk to bring the Nigerian back into the starting XI when it comes to their prospects of taking their chances in front of goal at St Johnstone, while Danilo may get a look in but potentially off the bench.
Clement himself will also be desperate to get this decision right, since he does need positive results to ease the scrutiny he is under at Ibrox right now.
With that in mind, Igamane could certainly feel hard done by if he does not get the chance to start and show what he can do Rangers again on Sunday.
In other news, Steven Naismith has given his verdict on Rangers signing Lawrence Shankland.
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