Hamza Igamane will look to take centre stage as Rangers head to Bilbao for the second leg of a Europa League quarter final against Athletic Club.
The Moroccan hitman, 22, has had a breakthrough season with Rangers and Igamane has admirers in the Premier League and beyond.
A moment of excellent hold-up play from Igamane against Athletic Club in Glasgow caught the attentions of Rangers fans, many of whom would prefer the striker to Cyriel Dessers in Spain.
But with Igamane breaking into the Morocco set-up this season, one soon to be positional rival stands in the way of a place in the Europa League semi-finals.
Maroan Sannadi to rival Hamza Igamane for spot in Morocco squad
Maroan Sannadi is a Spanish-Moroccan striker who is making a big impression with Athletic Club this season.
Having only just moved to the Estadio de San Mamés from Alaves B, who play in the third tier of Spanish football, the 24-year-old qualifies for Bilbao’s Basque-only squad having been born in the local city of Vitoria.
But it is not Spain that Sannadi has his eyes on joining as an international, with the striker already pledging his allegiance to Morocco.
Morocco manager Walid Regragui has an abundance of options in the final third with the addition of Sannadi, who is yet to earn a call-up for the Atlas Lions, only adding to the competition.
Igamane joins the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos) and Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) in a star-studded squad.
With Hamza hoping to take centre stage in Spain, Morocco boss Regragui admits that the nation also has their eye on Sannadi‘s progress.
“He’s a player we’re following,” Regragui told El Correo. “We’re very happy that he chose Morocco, that he wants to come.
“That’s what matters to me, the attitude. A footballer who plays for Bilbao, with the quality he has, who fights… I’m sure he’ll get his chance.
“He has a very good profile for us. He’s had an incredible six months. Now he’s starting to understand the game and play in (La Liga).
“I’m sure if he continues like this, he’ll have a chance with us because we don’t have a profile like his. He’s a bit like En-Nésyri.”
Barry Ferguson hints at Hamza Igamane role v Athletic Club
Maroan Sannadi is expected to be involved against Rangers after starting all three of Athletic Club’s Europa League knockout ties to date.
Sannadi played in both legs against AS Roma, whilst the striker played 62 minutes as ten-man Rangers held Athletic Club to a draw at Ibrox.
But the situation with Hamza Igamane is less clear, Barry Ferguson insisting the young Moroccan has much to learn with Cyriel Dessers in line to start in Spain.
“I’ve always got big decisions to make,” Ferguson said. “In terms of Hamza, he did well, but I think Hamza can do a lot more. I’m very demanding in that side of his game.
“There’s no doubt Hamza’s got so much quality – technically, he’s so gifted – but he needs to add other things to his game, and that’s something that we’ve been working hard on.
“In terms of a team selection tomorrow, I already know my team, the players already know the team, and I’ve picked a team that’s hopefully going to go and progress into the semi-final.”
