Igamane pleases Lille boss as Rangers told what they're missing

Ex-Rangers striker Hamza Igamane <i>(Image: Andrew Milligan)</i>
Ex-Rangers striker Hamza Igamane (Image: Andrew Milligan)
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Lille boss Bruno Genesio has heaped praise on Hamza Igamane after a strong impact from the former Rangers striker.

The Morrocan left Scotland for France in a £10.4 million bid move early this season, an acrimonious end after a fallout with ex-boss Russell Martin, having refused to come on during a game against St Mirren.

Rangers have replaced Igamane and fellow outgoing striker Cyriel Dessers with Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti, neither of whom has hit the ground running.

On the other hand, Igamane has six goals already for his new club, the latest being a double against PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday.

Genesio is very pleased with his new signing, who he sees as an out-and-out frontman.

He said: "For now, I see him more as a centre forward. He's an unpredictable player in the last 30 meters.

"We saw that in the goal he scored in Nantes. He has a favourable counterattack, but he goes for it because he has the conviction that he will succeed.



"He's a player who still has a lot of freshness, who is capable of scoring improbable goals in incredible situations.

"These are important qualities for a striker and has very big potential. Having him as close as possible to the goal is better for us."

Genesio has also discussed where Igamane has improved since joining Lille - with his conditioning.

He added: "He has made a lot of effort in athletic work since he arrived with us. That's also why he is getting better and better.

"I really liked his arrival at Nantes in his association with his partners and his movements, which were much more accurate .

"He needs to maintain this kind of carefree and fresh attitude and continue to improve in the structure of his game with the ball and in his movements without the ball. He's learning quite quickly, which bodes well."


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