It has often been presented as a case of ‘either or’ at Rangers this season, but perhaps Philippe Clement does not have to pick between one or the other.
Ross McCormack, the striker who began his career at Ibrox before making his name south of the border with Leeds United, feels that Hamza Igamane’s best performances have actually come not in place of Cyriel Dessers but alongside him.
Now, this does not ring true on every occasion.
Igamane ‘struggled’ as Rangers took on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League – to quote Ally McCoist – when shifted out to the left-hand side. A rare off night for the Moroccan sensation in Rangers colours. In contrast, Dessers produced arguably his finest performance in that blue shirt, even without a goal against his name.
Yet, McCormack has still seen enough from a burgeoning Dessers – Igamane partnership to suggest that the two centre-forwards do not necessarily need to be seen as rivals for one spot in Clement’s starting XI.
Cyriel Dessers makes Rangers teammate Hamza Igamane ‘a far better player’
“I’ve been a fan of Cyriel Dessers this season. I like it when he plays,” McCormack says. “I think he gives Rangers a different dimension.
“I think, when he plays, Igamane’s then got the freedom to go and sort of do whatever he wants; Drop deep, link the play, turn and run at people, play…
“I think he looks a far better player for that.”
While Dessers is something of a throwback of a number nine, Igamane feels like a more modern interpretation of the role. The £1.7 million summer signing loves to wander around the park to pick up possession, albeit not always to Rangers’ benefit.
Sometimes, with Igamane in roving mode, Rangers do lack a presence up top. A presence that Dessers can provide on the occasions when both start alongside each other.
Igamane and Dessers did get a few minutes together late on as Rangers defeated Hearts 3-1 at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Another unconvincing display masked by a good win on paper, with Jamie McCart netting an own goal in either half on an afternoon in which Jack Butland pulled off a string of fine saves.
Ross McCormack unimpressed as Rangers ride their luck vs Hearts
“I just though it was quite lethargic, especially in the first-half,” McCormack adds. “I just looked like they couldn’t get going. [Vaclav] Cerny was pretty quiet. [Ianis] Hagi wasn’t really offering much. I think one of the big things, there didn’t look to be a lot of energy in the game.”
Dangermen Cerny and Hagi did come alive after the interval, however. The Wolfsburg loanee swept home a 14th goal of the season after Igamane’s shot was blocked, while Hagi’s clipped pass over the top to set away substitute Dessers – McCart eventually hooking the ball into his own goal – was nothing short of sublime.
“If there was a title race, they go to to Tynecastle and win while not playing well, everyone’s saying that’s unbelievable character,” McCormack sums up, Rangers still 13 points adrift of Celtic thanks largely to their rather dismal away record.
“But, on the flip-side of it, it probably would be a title fight if they had done that throughout the season.”
