Morocco striker Hamza Igamane looked unstoppable in a Rangers jersey only a few months ago.
But since bursting onto the scene at Ibrox, the last few weeks have seen Igamane’s form slow down at Rangers as many perhaps might have expected.
The 22-year-old striker is a player of immense technical ability but anyone who has cast glances at Hamza Igamane knows the Rangers hitman is still very much a raw diamond.
There are still big developments Igamane must make and Rangers will hope that the kid progresses under their watch before banking them a player trading fortune.
And now, despite a run of 10 games without a goal, Hamza Igamane is set to take what will be a crucial step in his development as a footballer with the Morocco national team.
Hamza Igamane to earn maiden Morocco call-up
It is being widely reported in the likes of the Scottish Sun that Hamza Igamane has earned a maiden call-up to the Morocco national side.
Morocco are set to play two World Cup qualifiers during the March international break, first facing off against Niger before hosting Tanzania.
Should the call become official as expected, Igamane will prepare to rub shoulders with one of the most talented squads in the entire continent of Africa.
Having reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, expectations are rising for Morocco who have an embarrassment of attacking riches at their disposal.
Hamza Igamane has previously talked up playing for Morocco and insists turning out for his country is one of his dreams and one of three big targets for 2025.
“[I want] to maintain the pace of development, [and] to provide evidence that I do not stop working because I have not reached the position I want for myself,” said Igamane.
“I [also] hope to quickly reach the den of the Atlas Lions, and have the honour of defending the colours of my country.”
Later the hitman added: “The national team is the dream of any Moroccan player. Everyone wants to defend the jersey of their country’s team. I will continue to work hard to achieve this honour and represent the Moroccan national team.”
Hamza Igamane to replace ‘brother’ in Morocco squad
Hamza Igamane can be rightly pleased with the news he has been called up by Morocco.
The 22-year-old has earned the nod from manager Walid Regragui after an impressive first season at Rangers where the striker has hit 13 goals in all competitions.
Joining Rangers from Moroccan side FAR Rabat in the summer, the striker has taken big strides in his development and is an important member of the Rangers squad.
Igamane will also only get better rubbing shoulders with some of the talent on display in the Morocco team.
Hakim Ziyech (Al-Duhail), Achraf Hakimi (PSG) and Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) are some of the more high-profile players in the squad but they barely scratch the surface.
The battle between Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane was talked up ahead of the Europa League tie between the clubs.
Igamane also faced off against fellow Moroccan Sofyan Amrabat in Istanbul.
But the situation with Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi takes on a new dimension with Hamza Igamane.
Olympiacos hitman El Kaabi is currently leading the Europa League with seven goals but looks set to miss out on the 34-man squad due to injury.
Reports have suggested that Igamane will replace El Kaabi in this Morocco squad as he looks to earn his first cap for the country.
Igamane has previously talked up El Kaabi in the French press, claiming the striker is like a ‘brother’ to him and is inspiring his Europa League dream at Ibrox.
“El Kaabi is a brother, he is someone I really like,” Igamane told Onze Mondial.
”Of course I was able to draw inspiration from him. He still won the Europa Conference League with Olympiakos and he finished top scorer in the tournament, that’s not nothing. His influence is positive.
“It makes me want to work even more, to follow in his footsteps, and why not achieve something wonderful with the Rangers?
“I don’t hesitate to observe the most experienced players to get the best ideas from them.”
