Clement hails Igamane for taking ´major steps´ as brilliant Rangers denied by Tottenham

Philippe Clement says Hamza Igamane is taking “major steps” after scoring for Rangers in the pulsating 1-1 Europa League draw with Tottenham.

The Moroccan opened the scoring just after half-time at a raucous Ibrox to give his side a deserved lead and make it five goals from as many games for the 22-year-old.

Igamane endured a slow start to life in Glasgow after joining in the previous transfer window but Rangers boss Clement hailed the effort and application he is showing to improve.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “Nobody is undroppable only when they play like this every time, we need to see where his physical level is.

“But he’s making major steps forward. A few months ago physically and tactically it was a long wait but he’s one of the boys who has the hunger and desire to grow physically.

“There’s a lot of potential in this group to improve.”

FULL-TIME: Rangers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

All level after a terrific team performance at Ibrox. #UEL pic.twitter.com/tr61m3PQwK

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 12, 2024

Dejan Kulusevski denied Rangers what would have been a famous win against a Spurs side managed by former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

Clement believes it is a sign of the growing mentality within the ranks that he and his side were disappointed to only come away with a point against a side that has the riches of the Premier League behind them.

“That’s what it’s about to be at Rangers, it’s about who I am,” he added. “I want that mentality, also in my squad I saw they were also not satisfied with a point.

“We need to keep this hunger and desire to be better. There is a lot of potential in this squad, it’s about getting experiences like tonight.

“We need to decide things faster, be more aggressive, react faster. But they all did it, it’s about keeping that hunger and desire.”

One disappointment was the sight of centre-back John Souttar going off injured in the first half just a few days before the all Old Firm Scottish League Cup final with Celtic on Sunday.

Clement said of Souttar: “I don’t know [how he is] for the moment, it’s never a good thing when you need to step off in the first half, I don’t know the situation.”

Rangers endured a mixed start to the season but have now found some momentum, going nine unbeaten and winning four in a row before this impressive draw.

Clement is delighted to be taking that form into Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final against Celtic.

“The synergy is back with the fans, they see the work the team is doing, see the way we want to play and impose ourselves also,” he said.

“It’s going to be a massive final on Sunday with Celtic, it’s 50-50 with the supporters so everyone is happy with that.”