Igamane double sees Rangers hammer Nice to maintain top-eight hopes

Goals from Vaclav Cerny, Mohamed Diomande and a brace from Hamza Igamane helped Rangers to a dominant 4-1 win against OSC Nice at the Allianz Riveira.

Philippe Clement made one change from the side which drew against St Mirren at the weekend, making a big call to hand Hamza Igamane his first start in Europe for the club as Cyriel Dessers dropped to the bench.

After a bright start from Rangers, Nice were handed a chance to netting an early goal when referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea pointed to the spot for a John Souttar handball before he was advised to go to the screen by VAR.

After a lengthy wait, with three incidences in a matter of seconds up for dispute, Rangers were given a reprieve.

It took 35 minutes for Rangers to take the lead at the Allianz Riviera as Igamane found Cerny on the edge of the box, after a terrific Dujon Sterling cross.

Rangers doubled their lead just three minutes later when Nice switched off at the back, with Diomande managing to chip his effort over the goalkeeper and into the net. The Scottish Premiership side made it three before the break as Igamane intercepted a poor backpass, rounded Marcin Bulka who had left his goal and netted home with composure.

Igamane scored his second of the match after more errors by the home side saw the Morocco international run through on goal and slot home.

Igamane did have a chance to score a hat-trick when he failed to get a touch on Connor Barron’s cross, whilst Ridvan Yilmaz and Dessers also had opportunities to stretch the scoreline.

Nice did claim a consolation goal just inside the last 10 minutes as Badredine Bouanani’s free-kick found the top right corner, ending Jack Butland’s hopes of a clean sheet.

Nice will face Lyon in Ligue 1 before a trip to Union SG next in the Europa League, whilst Rangers visit St Johnstone in the league, with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur next in the Europa League.

Despite a bright start, it took 35 minutes for the first goal of the evening to arrive, but once it did, Nice could barely hold back the incoming tsunami of confidence Rangers grew minute by minute.

Every error by their opponents was pounced on and they continued to look threatening, whilst Nice became architects of their own downfall and were lucky not to concede more.

Philippe Clement would have raised questions with the choice of Hamza Igamane up front in place of Cyriel Dressers but he was quickly proven correct as Igamane proved confident in front of goal on his first European start for the club.

It was a fine display by the Rangers frontman, who was clinical albeit in a few of the early chances for his team. He set up the first goal before netting two more in the second half.

A deserved first European start for the Morocco international.

Nice XI: Bulka 5, Louchet 5, Ndayshimiye 4, Abdelmonem 4, Bard 4, Boudaoui 5, Rosario 3, Camara 4, Bouanani 5, Moukoko 4, Laborde 4. Subs: Nandjou 4, Salhi 4, Guessand 4, Ndombele 4, Mohamed-Ali Cho 4

Rangers XI: Butland 7, Sterling 8, Souttar 7, Propper 7, Jefte 7 , Barron 7, Raskin 7, Cerny 8, Diomande 8, Bajrami 6, Igamane 9. Subs: Tavenier 6, Yilmaz 6, Dessers 6, Rice 6, McCausland 6

6′ EARLY DRAMA Jack Butland is forced to make a save and the rebound effort catches the arm of John Souttar. The referee gives a handball and it goes to VAR.That was one of the most bizarre situations as a penalty was given by the referee but he was forced to go to the screen by VAR. After possibly the longest wait and watching three separate incidences within a matter of seconds, no penalty!

35′ GOAL! OSG NICE 0-1 RANGERS (CERNY 35′) Seconds after probably making the wrong decision in not giving the ball back to Barron, Vaclav Cerny has put his side ahead with a lovely hit from just inside the box. It’s great work by Hamza Igamane to work the ball back to Cerny after Sterling’s superb cross and the away supporters are in full voice.

38′ GOAL! OSG NICE 0-2 RANGERS (DIOMANDE 38′) He can barely believe it but the Nice defender switches off after another Sterling cross and Mohamed Diomande is able to loop the ball over the goalkeeper.

45+3 GOAL! OSG NICE 0-3 RANGERS (IGAMANE 45+3′) It’s a horrific pass back to the goalkeeper, which Igamane sprints after and intercepts before the ‘keeper has a chance. He rounds the Nice goalkeeper and nets home with composure.

54′ GOAL! OGC NICE 0-4 RANGERS (IGAMANE 54′) Rosario has had a nightmare tonight as Igamane is able to get the wrong side of him and run through on goal. He takes it well and gets his second of the match.

83′ GOAL! OGC NICE 1-4 RANGERS (BOUANANI 83′) Whilst it’ll only be a consolation, Jack Butland is unable to keep a clean sheet as Badredine Bouanani scores a lovely free-kick into the top right corner.

Rangers have scored more goals in the first half against Nice than they have scored in the league all season away from home.