Rangers supporters have experienced an up-and-down season at Ibrox so far.
In the Premiership, the title race was essentially decided early, with Rangers already ten points behind Celtic after losing four matches, all on the road, and with Celtic holding a game in hand.
On the other hand, Rangers’ success has largely come in the Europa League, where they’ve secured wins against Malmö, Nice, and Steaua Bucharest, and even earned a draw against Tottenham. They’ve already qualified for the knockout stage and aim to advance further when Royale Union Saint-Gilloise visits Ibrox on Thursday.
This European form has made one of their key players highly sought-after, with Philippe Clement eager to retain him.
Rangers Striker in Demand
According to Camillo Forte of Tuttosport, Everton are close to signing Rangers striker Hamza Igamane. With David Moyes back in charge at Everton, he’s looking to bolster his forward line after disappointing performances from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto.
Igamane joined Rangers last summer from AS FAR for £2.5 million, but Mick Brown of Football Insider reports the club could sell for a “huge” price, especially given their financial situation, which means they may listen to offers for any player.
The 22-year-old Moroccan has scored 13 goals this season, with four coming in the Europa League, including a crucial goal against Tottenham in December. He also netted a brace against Nice in November and registered his first hat-trick for the club earlier this month against Hibernian. Losing Igamane could be a major blow for Rangers if he departs before the transfer deadline, but could they look to the African market for a replacement?
**A Potential Replacement: Iqraam Rayners**
Ahead of the January transfer window, South African outlet Soccer Laduma reported that Rangers were closely monitoring Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners. The 29-year-old has four international goals and impressed domestically, scoring 17 goals for Stellenbosch before moving to Sundowns last summer, where he’s added 13 goals in 22 appearances. His impressive form led to praise from his manager, who described him as “one of the best goal-scorers” in South Africa.
Rayners had a remarkable 2024, scoring 24 goals across all competitions, a tally bettered by only six players in South African Premier Division history. So how does Rayners compare to Igamane?
**Rayners vs. Igamane Comparison (24/25)**
| Statistic | Rayners | Igamane |
|———————-|————|————|
| Appearances | 22 | 27 |
| Minutes | 1,660 | 1,550 |
| Goals | 13 | 13 |
| Assists | 1 | 3 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 | 5 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 | 6 |
| Dribble Success % | 80% | 47.4% |
| Average Rating | 7.03 | 7.35 |
Both players have scored 13 goals this season, with Rayners missing fewer big chances (one vs. Igamane’s five) and showcasing better dribbling skills. However, Igamane has contributed more assists and created more chances for teammates.
It’s important to note the difference in league quality; the South African league ranks 58th globally, while the Scottish Premiership sits 43rd, meaning Rayners would face a step-up if he moved to Rangers, though not a massive one.
If Rangers lose Igamane this month, Rayners could provide a strong, cost-effective replacement, potentially at a lower price than a European option.
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