On a night of almost unbridled positives at Ibrox, Rangers legend Ally McCoist still had one lingering gripe as Philippe Clement’s side edged past Union Saint-Gilloise to secure a top-eight finish in the Europa League.
You would be hard pressed finding much criticism of Hamza Igamane’s performances in recent months. This is, after all, a striker who, heading into Thursday’s matchday eight encounter, had scored 12 goals in his last 16 Rangers appearances.
Yes, Igamane can improve his positioning inside the penalty area – at least, that is the view of former Gers captain Barry Ferguson – and yes his decision-making is at times a little questionable.
But, as far as McCoist is concerned, that hard-fought 2-1 victory over a team who finished second in the Belgian top-flight last season highlighted the best and the worst of a youngster who remains a long way off the finished article.
And, considering how much his game has developed since moving to Scotland from his native Morocco, that is a scary thought indeed.
- READ MORE: Europa League 2024/25 New Format Explained
Ally McCoist gives mixed verdict on Hamza Igamane’s Rangers display
“That was magic, wasn’t it. Beautiful,” an awe-struck McCoist beamed after Igamane bamboozled his USG marker with a stunning first-touch early on, his eventual cross cut out before it reached Vaclav Cerny.
“Lovely. He’s got that in the locker. A couple of times at the weekend, there was a nutmeg. He’s got quick feet, if you dive in at him he can make you look foolish.”
It was Igamane who was left with egg on his face later on in the proceedings, however. With Ross McCausland begging for a pass that could have put the substitute in on goal, Igamane instead attempted a weak, rather casual outside of the boot through ball.
One easily intercepted as the chance to put the game to bed, Kevin Mac Allister left Joe Pesci – sorry, Jack Butland – stranded with a late consolation, was frittered away.
“That’s a lazy, slack outside of the foot pass. Not for me, that,” a far less complementary McCoist sighed, criticising Igamane again soon after as he picked the wrong option with Jefte racing down the flank on the overlap.
“That’s a real opportunity and its laziness. It might sound a little harsh on Igamane but he’s got to do better.
“He’s struggled. There’s no doubting his talent and he really has been excellent but not tonight. That is so slack, it really is, just knock it with the inside of your foot and let the player in on goal!
“I would switch [Nedim] Bajrami for Igamane.”
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
McCoist delighted as Rangers secure Europa League progress with Union Saint-Gilloise win
In a somewhat surprising move, Philippe Clement opted to start Igamane out on the left with Bajrami through the middle.
And while Hamza Igamane believes he is capable of thriving in a wider role, this could be an experiment the Rangers boss is in no rush to repeat.
Still, a rare off-night for Rangers’ breakout star was a pretty minimal blot on an otherwise joyous European evening at Ibrox.
“I think its been an excellent campaign, I really do, with some really good performances,” McCoist reflects, Rangers finishing eighth and therefore earning direct qualifaction for the competition’s last-16.
“I would suggest that Rangers’ performances Europe, certainly away from home, have been more consistent than domestically. They are in a good place. Its marvellous. For Rangers to finish in the top eight is a fabulous achievement
“Philippe Clement and the players deserve an enormous amount of credit.”
