GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Incoming Hamza Igamane has been tipped to make Rangers millions by an SPFL cult hero.
Hibernian’s League Cup-winning star Merouane Zemmama believes his fellow countryman has what it takes to succeed in the Scottish Premiership.
And he reckons the 21-year-old’s value could double by the time the striker pulls on a Light Blues jersey in a competitive game.
Philippe Clement is set to add Igamane as his fifth summer signing, with the player costing in the region of £2m.
It is expected he will be announced before representing his country at the Olympics in Paris next month.
“It could turn out that Rangers have done some really clever business by signing him now.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is a big thing in Morocco. This is the first time the country have ever qualified in the last three competitions.
“Hamza was in the squad for the African Under-23 Cup of Nations last year.
“He went on as a sub in the semi-final, which was played in his club Far Rabat’s stadium, but he got injured, had to be substituted and missed the final.
“But Morocco still went on to win the trophy and qualify for the Olympics. After they won the cup the squad were presented to King Mohammed VI to be congratulated.
“The squad going to the Olympics hasn’t been named yet, but I’d be surprised if Hamza isn’t in it.”
Zemmama continued: “Hamza going to Scotland has been big news in Morocco. Many players from here go to France and Belgium, but going to Scotland has been very interesting here.
“Rangers are a massive club on the European stage, so it’s good for football here that a club like that has scouted one of our young players and signed him.
I work at a football club and after the transfer was done, the coaches there were asking me how I thought he would do in Scotland. But I genuinely think he will do well there.
“Hibs fans — the ones who are old enough — will recall I was a smaller player who tried to use skill.
“But Hamza is a big, strong guy who will be ready for the physical side of football that exists in Scotland. That won’t worry him at all.
“He has good technique for a striker, but he’s a powerful boy and he’ll actually be looking forward to testing himself against the kind of hard defenders that you have in Scotland.
“He’s scored goals for Far and also for the Under-23 team. He hasn’t played for the full national team yet, but the squad is very strong. Morocco finished fourth at the World Cup in 2022.
“But the coach, Walid Regragui, has spoken about Igamane and how he has got him in his plans for the future.
“I’m excited to see how he’s going to do. I always watch the results in Scotland because I had good years of my playing career there.
