GIVE YOUR HEARTS TO HAMZA

Phil insists Gers fans should love Igamane while they have the chance as it will make him even better as a player

- ANDY NEWPORT

IT would be perfectly understandable if the Ibrox faithful were a little bit wary of getting too attached to Hamza Igamane.

The last time they allowed themselves to fall head over heels with a striker they didn't quite get what they expected from the separation settlement as things ended in a break-up.

The strength of feeling between Alfredo Morelos and the punters was one of the reasons why the board decided to stand firm in the face of multi-million-pound offers during Steven Gerrard's tenure.

But that proved a costly misstep when the Colombian allowed his standards to slip, eventually waddling away from Ibrox on a free in the summer of 2023.

It was a missed opportunity to cash in and clearly one the Rangers money men will be loath to repeat as they assess the burgeoning potential of their weekend hat-trick hero.

Igamane has 10 goals in his last 11 outings and there are already rumours swirling of Premier League interest, with Everton said to be watching his progress.

But manager Philippe Clement is adamant the red-hot Moroccan prospect should be going nowhere this month - although the Belgian can't hide the fact if Igamane carries on like this, his Ibrox stay won't last long.

Not when the financial picture at Ibrox now means anyone of value has a price.

In the meantime, Clement insists the fans shouldn't worry about letting the 22-year-old into their hearts and has urged them to enjoy Igamane while he's here.

"No, no, they need to be attached because that helps also the player, it gives him a lot of energy and confidence," insisted the former Club Brugge and Monaco gaffer.

"And we're not the only club in the world who acts like that.