Hamza Igamane to take Cyriel Dessers Rangers place amid critical Ibrox development
Cyriel Dessers' place in the Rangers side is already set to come under threat by Hamza Igamane after the Moroccan's performance at Dundee United, says Tam McManus.
The pundit explained how impressed he had been with the youngster on PLZ Soccer (16 September) and highlighted the striker as a positive for Philippe Clement's embattled Light Blues side.
And with the weekend's League Cup tie with Dundee the first back at Ibrox Alison McConnell cited another "critical" boost to the Gers when it was badly needed.
McManus said (32m): "Igamane coming on, I thought he looked good. I quite like the look of him if you're a Rangers supporter. Igamane coming on, he can hold the ball up, he's strong, he links the play. I thought Dessers was poor again.
"I think he's gonna find his position under threat from Igamane because he came on for that little cameo against Celtic, looked okay, and then he came on [at Tannadice], looked strong, could hold it up, so he's a positive for Rangers."
McConnell then pointed to the early Ibrox return as a key development, saying: "Going back to Ibrox is big, given at one point there was speculation it was going to run until the turn of the year. Going back to Ibrox is critical. I think it will be a relief to get back."
Hamza Igamane takes advantage of Danilo absence at Rangers
Rangers have had precious few reasons for positivity in recent weeks but Igamane has already shown signs of belatedly becoming a bright spot.
His signing was starting to look like an unwise use of what little transfer funds were available when Dessers was left as the only fully fit striker for the opening weeks of the season, with Igamane only making his debut off the bench in the Old Firm derby on 31 August.
But with Danilo ruled out of a month after suffering a set back and going for another knee operation [Chris Jack, 5 September] the 21-year-old has already shown flashes of quality that may vindicate Clement's decision to spend the money while he was available and wait to bring him into the side.
Dessers was fairly important at Tannadice as Tom Lawrence's goal secured a vital three points, and the Nigerian has ultimately proven to be crucial so far this term with five goals in all competitions while nobody else was available.
But if Igamane can build on his eye-catching introduction against the Tangerines he could end up being a vital reason for hope amid the chaos at Ibrox.
And having finally ended the tenancy at Hampden Park the timing of his introduction has coincided with the long-awaited homecoming to potentially spark something of a revival for Clement.
Nobody will be kidding themselves that the title race is immediately back on, with the gulf to Celtic made all too apparent at Parkhead before the international break.
But getting back on track and stringing together some results was a must after the derby and the first step has been achieved, with Igamane and an Ibrox return increasing the chances of following it up positively.
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