Moroccan international Hamza Igamane left Rangers to join Ligue 1 side Lille during the summer transfer window. His departure did not come under the best circumstances, bringing an end to a difficult spell at Ibrox marked by tensions between the player and his manager, Russell Martin.
According to the Scottish press, the club reportedly criticized the forward for feigning an injury to avoid coming on during the 1-1 draw against St Mirren, despite Martin calling him to the field. This incident heightened tensions and made his departure inevitable.
For Derek Ferguson, a former Rangers stalwart, the split was ultimately the best possible outcome. Speaking to Ibrox News, he said:
You could always tell he wasn’t thriving in Scotland. Maybe Glasgow just didn’t suit him? He has shared his views in interviews and will likely continue to do so, but he has every right to express his opinion. You could see from his body language that something wasn’t quite right. Faking an injury wasn’t a great look, and his departure was the most likely solution anyway. It’s unfortunate, but I have no problem with him expressing how he feels.
By joining Lille, Hamza Igamane has definitively turned the page on his time in Scotland. At just 21 years old, the Moroccan international now aims to revive his career in Ligue 1, a league renowned for nurturing young talent. The forward has already made a strong start, scoring two goals and having a significant impact on Lille’s play. With the national team as well, he has shown promising efficiency, netting two goals in three appearances.
