The unsettling reality of Rangers under Russell Martin is that supporters are unaware of the unnecessary passes.
For Hamza Igamane, Tuesday night’s match against Club Brugge will come too soon. However, the Rangers supporters must now understand that the sooner they can add the innovative Moroccan player to their squad, the better. He didn’t manage a shot on goal, much less a goal, and only played 22 short minutes in Saturday’s dull victory over Alloa. But in that brief period, the striker shown the kind of character this Ibrox lineup is sorely lacking. He took on defenders, held the ball, and fired quickly, even if his two attempts on goal were missed.
Additionally, he walked the entire time with a swagger that no Rangers player has displayed since Alfredo Morelos’ heyday. Russell Martin grinned wryly as he lauded his “mad” appearance in the second half. It would be absurd for the Gers to think about trading the only player who appears to have the cahonas to fulfil Martin’s demands of his striker at this time. This summer, Igamane was connected to Lille, but the French team was shocked by the £15 million Gers were asking for him.
There have been rumours that the club has been hesitant to use him this season out of concern that it would jeopardise any last-minute offers that might surface before the window closes. Rangers must weigh the risk of including him against Brugge, their opponents in the play-off round, if they are serious about qualifying for the Champions League, which they undoubtedly should be given the £40 million at stake. Speaking following Saturday’s victory, Martin dashed that hope, stating that the 22-year-old is not ready to play due to a knock following a late return to preseason.
That may be the case, but Igamane demonstrated enough in his brief appearance against Alloa to suggest that he might be the crucial component that Martin is lacking. The majority of the Light Blue legions still don’t really understand what the boss is aiming to accomplish with his new lineup, if they are being honest. Every move starts at strolling pace with a series of passes that seem unnecessary, yet they all fall apart when the ball eventually reaches the final third after an eternity.
The numerous issues Rangers have been facing at the other end are a result of their absence at the top of the pitch. After seven games, they have now given their opponents 108 shots on goal. The great majority seem to have arrived after Martin’s team gave up the ball with their midfield and attack exposed. Martin needs a centre striker who has the mentality in addition to the skill and ability to handle the ball if his game plan is to succeed. Igamane possesses all three in abundance.
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