Rangers are undergoing something of a revamp this summer, out with the old and in with the new, literally.
Philippe Clement knows how a proper player trading model should work from his time at Bruges having secured silverware and sizeable transfer fees.
The manager was frustrated to see so many players walk out of Rangers at the end of their contracts, however, the space saved on the wage bill is being used to bring players like Hamza Igamane to the club, someone who could well make a similar impact to that of an Ibrox favourite.
Alfredo Morelos has set Rangers standard for Hamza Igamane
When Alfredo Morelos arrived at Ibrox in the summer of 2017, there was an element of excitement about a striker who had good numbers and a lot of promise.
Strangely, he wasn’t expected to be the first-choice striker either with Eduardo Herrera also signed.
The more experienced of the two strikers had been capped by Mexico in recent seasons and had been expected to line up with the troubled Carlos Pena behind him.
Things under Pedro Caixhina didn’t quite go to plan though.
Morelos quickly became the main man, ending his first season with 18 goals and eight assists in total and showing that he had the potential to be a leading number nine with the right support.
His last two years at Rangers soured things, however, he left as the club’s leading goalscorer in Europe with performances against the likes of Mats Hummels and Pepe that suggested he was destined for bigger things.
A move to Santos hasn’t worked out and the 28-year old has been linked with a move back to Colombia, a far cry from the £16.25m bid from Lille that got rejected.
Can Igamane bully his way into Rangers starting XI like El Bufalo?
What Morelos proved though, is that there are bargains to be had if you look hard enough.
Morelos fit a profile searched for by the Rangers recruitment team and then Jonatan Johansson provided the personal insight to get the deal done.
For Hamza Igamane, who is tipped to arrive imminently in a £2.5m deal, a similar story could be on the cards.
Like Morelos, he is highly thought of in his homeland and has shown that he can score all types of goals if he is given the right service.
There also won’t be the same expectations on Igamane to be the main man with Cyriel Dessers and Danilo costing significantly more money.
Strength in depth is always important in every position, but no player has the right to start every game.
Taking the chance to impress, as Morelos did in 2017, could well see Igamane follow in the footsteps of El Bufalo.
