Igamane ‘special’ as Dodds makes ‘sensational’ Rangers observation
Rangers have a “special” player on their hands in Hamza Igamane, according to Billy Dodds.
Dodds waxed lyrical about Igamane’s ability to get the basics right while also being a “free spirit” and lauded him for how he dealt with Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale’s physicality in the 3-3 draw against Hibernian on Sunday, 5 January.
The former Light Blues striker also described the Moroccan’s movement as “sensational”, admitting that he is a natural at doing things that he had to be taught during his playing career.
“He [Igamane] is a bit of a free spirit, but, for me, on top of that, he does the basics really well because we can get a free spirit that just wants to showboat, wants to nutmeg people and there’s really not any end product, but this guy can play the basics”, Dodds said on The Go Radio Football Show (8 January).
“[He is] so strong, loves contact, loves the physicality of the game. Rocky Bushiri for Hibs tried to make sure to get tight on him, leave one on him, Iredale, people like that. He handled that side of it and he got his goals.
“His movement when he gets into the box – and it’s something that I had to rely on and I know Andy [Walker] as well. Andy had to rely, like me, on his sharpness in the first two yards. This guy, Igamane, his movement is sensational.
“I always got taught by Paul Sturrock that, ‘You look when the cross comes and you see it when he’s going to deliver, but so does the centre-half have to look at the cross, and when he does, that’s when you make your movement’. Igamane has got that naturally.”
Dodds could not stop raving about Igamane as he went on to brand his finishing as “incredible”.
“You saw all his goals against Hibs and in other games, where his finishing was incredible – just a two-yard movement, bang, goal! The header, the left foot, the right foot, Motherwell as well”, he said.
“He has got a bit of everything and I think that’s important because I’ve seen too many people go to big clubs and just try to showboat, get a few goals. I think this guy could be something special if he keeps on learning, keeps his head down and he looks as if he’s got that.”
Billy Dodds echoes Rangers fans’ feelings about Hamza Igamane
Igamane has been in red-hot form for Rangers since pipping Cyriel Dessers as Philippe Clement’s first-choice striker in November.
The 22-year-old has bagged seven goals and an assist in nine games across all competitions since December, including a perfect hat-trick in the 3-3 draw against Hibernian last weekend.
It is a shame that the Gers have failed to capitalise on Igamane’s form and reduce their gap with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Rangers will also be worried about the centre-forward’s recent run of form as it will surely attract interest from other clubs.
He has already been linked with a move away from Ibrox [Afrik Foot], but it would be a surprise if ended his association with the Scottish giants during the ongoing winter transfer window.
However, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Igamane leaves Rangers at the end of the season, especially if the continues his form.
In other Rangers news, Clement has been slammed for a “silly” thing he said about the Light Blues.
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