Hamza Igamane was the man of the moment once again as Rangers’ near-flawless Ibrox record was extended with a 3-0 trouncing of Aberdeen.
Philippe Clement hasn’t half had his troubles on the road this season with an urgent fix required on their travels with big games against Manchester United in the Europa League and Dundee United at Tannadice to come next week – but in Govan it is 11 wins and one draw from 12 outings with star man Igamane making it 12 goals from 13 outings to take his tally overall in all competitions to 13. Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers added further goals in added-time to make it a comfortable evening in Govan.
Igamen should have opened the scoring before he did as he fired narrowly wide after a brilliant ball by Vaclav Cerny. However, he wouldn’t be denied as moments later he showed great composure to fire home after Cerny picked Sivert Nilsen’s pocket in a moment to forget for the Aberdeen man before Igamane eventually fired home. The home side continued to push for a second but it was Leighton Clarkson who nearly silenced Ibrox as he let rip from 40-plus yards but Liam Kelly jockeyed back and was able to pluck the ball out the air. The stadium was briefly hushed but the Ibrox stopper was the calmest man in the building.
Danilo – who went off injured after what looked like a shoulder issue at the break – was sent between the two Aberdeen centre-backs from a slick Ianis Hagi pass but Ross Doohan produced a big one-on-one stop before he was once again called into action to quickly push away a Igamane driving effort after smart link up play with the Brazilian before sticking a foot out at his near post to deny Jefte.
As Rangers pushed for a second, Hagi was a lick of paint away from getting on the scoresheet as his effort from range had Doohan beaten but unfortunately for the playmaker his effort clipped the bar and over. It was looking like a night of near misses as a teasing Hagi ball to the back post just escaped Nico Raskin at the back post. Cerny was then played in but his reluctance to shoot early and cut back on his left foot allowed Doohan to get set and he made another big save with his feet to deny the winger.
Skipper James Tavernier and Balogun made welcome returns for the hosts in the final 15 minutes as Clement began to see the light at the end of the injury tunnel for his defensive ranks. And it was the perfect welcome back for Balogun who could have had a HAT-TRICK. First he met a Cerny corner but his header crashed off the post and away with five left to play before he went close for a second time in the final minute but his effort was cleared off the line.. It was third time lucky for the big defender in added-time as he headed home Clinton Nsiala’s cross. Cyriel Dessers then added at third as the home side finished with a flourish. Here’s 3 talking points from Ibrox…
He is the Mane!
Rangers really could have unearthed a real gem in Hamza Igamane. After being held back by Philippe Clement following his summer transfer the Moroccan has not looked back since getting up and running in Glasgow and he is now arguably the Light Blues’ key man. He showed his composure in front of goal with his brilliant hat-trick against Hibs at Easter Road and he has netted big goals in the Europa League like that strike against Tottenham and the double in Nice.
He showed his calmness in front of goal here for the opener as he slammed past Ross Doohan. He should have had one before that when he slotted his effort wide. 13 goals in all competitions so far with 12 of those coming in his last 13 games. You wouldn’t put it past him to burst the 20-goal barrier. Looking like a real asset.
Dons plot own downfall
Defenders are there to defend. But this new way of playing in the modern game has those at the back starting the attacks and playing out from goalkeeper and up the park. It didn’t work here for Aberdeen who produced numerous errors in trying to be clever. At least three in the first 15 minutes and luckily for them only punished once after Sivert Nilsen had his pocket picked by Vaclav Cerny after taking his eye off the ball before Igamane grabbed what proved the games winning goal.
The Czech nearly created the opener moments before with another interception and pass through but Igamane slotted wide. Ross Doohan had another notable moment with his ball out to Nicky Devlin ending up as a dangerous throw-in for the hosts. Work required on the training ground for Jimmy Thelin if his plan and vision in this area is to become full proof and on the whole flawless.
Light at the end of the defensive crisis tunnel
It’s been a hell of a time for Philippe Clement with injuries to his backline. But with a big week on the horizon, he will be delighted that skipper James Tavernier and Leon Balogun are back. Both got around 15 minutes of action with Balogun heading in the crucial second but he could have scored THREE. Next up is Fraserburgh at Ibrox this weekend in the Scottish Cup, and you’d imagine it is the perfect time to get further minutes in the legs ahead of Manchester United in the Europa League at Old Trafford and Dundee United away at Tannadice. Jack Butland remains out but deputy Liam Kelly has shown up well while John Souttar continues to battle back from his latest injury. A sigh of relief from the boss, you’d imagine!