Glasgow Rangers will be playing in the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the second time in the previous four seasons.
Of course, the last time the Ibrox side reached this stage of the competition, they went on to reach the final in 2022, suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
Even the most optimistic supporter surely can’t envisage another sparkling run this season, especially as Barry Ferguson’s side were outplayed on Thursday evening.
As the end of the season edges nearer, thoughts now turn to whom the next permanent manager will be ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Whoever is appointed, they face an important summer transfer window which could make or break the club in their bid to challenge Celtic for domestic supremacy.
A few first-team players will need to be sold in order to free up the wage bill, while there are likely to be several offers coming in for those who have impressed for the Light Blues this season.
Indeed, Hamza Igamane appears to be attracting some interest ever since making his mark in the senior squad. Could he be one of the players sold this summer?
Hamza Igamane's Rangers future
The Moroccan striker may have cooled off following a hot start to his Ibrox career, but there is no doubt just how good the centre-forward could become.
At the time of writing, he has scored 13 goals and grabbed three assists across 36 matches in all competitions. He has settled in nicely to domestic football, failing to be caught out by the physical nature of Scottish football, but it has been in Europe where Igamane has performed well.
Four goals and an assist in eight Europa League matches – with only four of those being starts – doesn’t tell half the story.
He scored a stunning brace against French side Nice during a 4-1 away victory in November, before opening the scoring with a well-taken effort against Tottenham Hotspur just a few weeks later.
Transfer Focus
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Everton scouts were present at that game to watch Igamane score and they were impressed by his display against the Premier League side.
With the transfer window just a few weeks away at that point, Philippe Clement was bracing himself for any bids that were going to arrive for one of his star players.
Metric
Europa League
Premiership
Goals
4
9
Assists
1
1
Big chances created
1
6
Successful dribbles per game
1.7
1.4
Shots per game
1.6
2.9
Thankfully, he remained at the Light Blues, but it appears as though fending off clubs this summer could be a different story indeed.
According to Football Insider, the Toffees are preparing to come back in for the 22-year-old when the season comes to an end as David Moyes looks to bolster his attacking options.
Marseille and Sevilla will provide stiff competition, however, and should a bidding war erupt, the Gers must stand firm and only accept the best possible fee for their striker.
Whatever happens, Igamane is going to leave sooner rather than later, especially if he continues to shine.
The Gers will need to find a replacement. They might not have to look too far…
Rangers looking at Igamane replacements
Recent news has emerged from Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, who claims that Rangers are looking at St Mirren centre-forward Toyosi Olusanya as a potential option for next season.
The Buddies’ striker is certain to leave the club at the end of the season due to his contract expiring, which could lead the Gers to make their move and seal a bargain signing in the process.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a productive spell in Paisley and found the back of the net against the Light Blues last month as his side claimed a 2-0 win at Ibrox.
The Ibrox faithful will be looking for big things in the transfer market, especially if the takeover by 49ers Enterprises occurs in the coming months. Bringing in someone like Olusanya, however, could add some solid depth to the first-team squad and represent a perfect Igamane replacement.
Toyosi Olusanya’s season in numbers
The Englishman has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for St Mirren this season, nearly double the tally he reached during the 2023/24 campaign.
Eight of those goals have come in the Premiership, where his direct approach has caused teams plenty of problems.
In the top flight, the striker averages 1.8 shots per game, along with creating two big chances and having a 16% goal conversion rate.
He delivered one of his best displays of the season against Aberdeen in January. Not only did he get on the scoresheet, but Olusanya also won 100% of his ground duels, succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts and made one key pass during the comfortable 3-0 victory.
He was praised by his teammate Mikael Mandron after the game, who said: “I don’t think he has any ceiling, I don’t want to put any limits on him. He’s shown this season he can score goals at any time and any type.
“With his quality, pace, power and finishing, that will work at any level, so I don’t think he has a ceiling.
“Yeah hopefully he can stay because he’s so important for us. He’s scored so many goals and what he brings to the team is absolutely amazing. The gaffer said it would take a big offer but if I was any club I’d definitely pay – but we want him to stay.”
There is no doubt the English striker could offer something different to what the Light Blues have in their attacking ranks right now. Securing his services on a free transfer could turn out to be a solid piece of transfer business.
Money will likely be spent should the proposed takeover happen, but this will have to be managed well. Selling a player or two will help raise funds, but these need to be redirected back into improving the playing squad.
If not, Celtic will once again be favourites to win the league title next season.
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