Clement on why Igamane was 'determined' to sign for Rangers

Igamane impressed from the bench last Sunday in a 1-0 win over Dundee United in what was only his second appearance for the club following a summer move from Morocco. Having initially arrived with an injury, Igamane’s long-awaited appearances are timely given Danilo’s latest injury set-backs leave Cyriel Dessers as the only other striking option available to Clement.

The attacker, capable of playing on the left wing or through the centre, helped to reestablish control for Rangers at Tannadice last weekend from the bench, with Tom Lawrence’s early goal ultimately enough for his side to travel back to Glasgow with all three points.

And while Clement didn’t make an attempt to play down expectations, he admits that Igamane remains some way off playing 90 minutes regularly. 

“I love expectations because then people see what the recruitment team and myself and my staff saw also,” Clement said speaking before his side’s meeting with Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.

“So I told you already that he has a really high potential. But of course, it's just the first step and we need to put everything in perspective. [Hamza] still has a way to go to become a player who can play 90 minutes, to be decisive in all the games.

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“You have some players indeed who think that, who are maybe physically ready for 30 minutes and think they can play 90 minutes, but he's totally not that kind of player. He knows really well where he is and where he wants to get to. So that's an advantage.

“The most positive thing is that he's someone who came in from a totally different culture. Don't underestimate that. A lot of players out of his culture struggled with coming to Europe and I've seen that already a lot in the past. So that was also a first step to take. He's doing well, also with the language. He doesn't speak English yet, but he's starting to understand more and more. He's taking the lessons and is working hard on that.

“He's good in the team. They all like him, they all love him. He's showing quality in training, what we want to see. Are there things to improve? Of course, he's still a 21-year-old lad who's the first time in Europe. So it's interesting as a manager and all coaching staff to work hard every day with those kind of players to make them better.”

Rangers’ summer transfer window was, in many ways, a frustrating one as exits held up incomings and a wage bill was significantly reduced. However, recent matches have shown some of the bright sparks to emerge from the targeting of new markets and intention to sign young players. Alongside the likes of Jefte, Oscar Cortes and Connor Barron, Igamane represents a new profile of player brought to Ibrox who Clement hopes can make the most of the opportunity.

“I don't like to do business talks with players to sell something that's not there,” he added, discussing Igamane’s desire to make a move to Rangers happen.

“So in all the talks we had with players before they come in, the players who came and maybe some didn't come because of that, I'm really honest and open about what this club is, what this league is, what our expectations are around them, what they need to do in the team, on and off the field. And Hamza was very determined to come here and he's showing that on the pitch also. So that's what we try to get with every new signing.”

After a 1-0 win over Dundee United last weekend Rangers face Dundee on Saturday evening as they finally return to Ibrox. The last time Clement’s side played at home, coincidently against the same opponent, was on May 14th. The fixture will be followed by a trip to face Swedish champions Malmo before Hibs travel to Glasgow next Sunday.

Igamane in action against Dundee United  (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group) For Clement, there are plenty of positives in spite of the fact that Rangers sit five points behind Celtic and Aberdeen five games into the season. He hopes the last home game against Ross County, a 6-0 win in August, can serve as an example of the type of dominant football Rangers can play under his management, with last Sunday’s victory over Dundee United demonstrating an equally important steel to the style that will be necessary throughout this campaign.

“I think against Ross County we were ruthless. So it's continuing in that way,” he suggested.

“But it's not only about scoring goals, it's also keeping a good balance in the team. Not conceding chances and goals. And that is also really important. That's always the danger when you focus really hard on what we are doing, being dominant, creating chances. Also keeping that good balance.

“So in that way, the performance at Dundee United was also very important in every sense. To take out the transitions, the long throw-ins, the set-pieces. And that's going to be crucial also against Dundee because they are strong in that area as well.”