A THROWBACK TO THE FUTURE

Hamza's instinctive ability was always a joy - Charai

- By Andy Newport

HAMZA IGAMANE'S Rangers journey started out on the sandy roads of Rabat.

But his Ibrox mentor, Issame Charai, fully expects the streets he treads in future will be paved with gold.

Igamane had already set off on his journey to Glasgow when Charai first came across him.

At that point, the Belgium-born coach was in charge of Morocco’s Under-23s — and it didn’t take Charai long to spot his potential.

There were rough edges, for sure. Tactical aspects to be tidied up and critical decision-making moments that could do with a sharpen.

But having spent his formative years developing his skills on the patches of rough ground near his home in the neighbourhood of Temara on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Charai could see the inspired flashes of a striker who operated on pure instinct.

We used to call them ‘tanner-ba’ players in this country. And, in PFA young player of the year nominee Igamane, Charai sees a special talent who is destined for the biggest stage.

“I actually first saw Hamza quite early because I was in Morocco as a national team coach of the under-23s,” said Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox assistant.

“At that time I had players born in 2001, but Hamza came from the 2002 age group.

“So his first national selection was with me. I went to see many games of his playing for FAR in Rabat, which is actually a big team in Morocco.

“He was only 19 or 20 at that point, but his potential was immediately clear.