Rangers to block first-team player from Olympics team - report

Rangers will not allow new signing Hamza Igamane to play for Morocco at the Olympics this summer, according to Moroccan Grinta.

While speaking to Derek Clark for Rangers Review’s YouTube channel (2 July), the issue about the 21-year-old being called up was brought up as the Ibrox club prepare to announce his arrival after he was granted a visa [FootMercato, 2 July].

The expectation was that the forward was going to get a call up, but according to Taha Rangers won’t allow it to happen.

“I would like to see him participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, but I heard that Rangers refused to accept it,” he said.

“To be honest it will be good in terms of the importance of the pre-season training. It will help Igamane to adapt to Rangers’ style.”

Rangers forced to make tough decision for Hamza Igamane

Igamane will no doubt have been keen to play for his country and represent himself on the biggest stage, but Rangers have to put themselves first.

The goal this season is for Philippe Clement to overthrow Celtic’s dominance of the SPFL and that means they need to hit the ground running from the opening game of the season.

Igamane is going to come into the squad and provide competition for Cyriel Dessers up front but also in the winger positions, but a move from Morocco to Britain and playing in European competition is a huge step up.

Clement has a particular style that he wants to play and that will require plenty of work on the training ground this summer, while the club will want to make sure they avoid the issues of last year when it comes to injuries.

That means everyone spending as much time on the training pitch as possible to get into peak condition, and unfortunately for Igamane that means no Olympics for him.

In other Rangers news, the club are battling with Celtic to sign a Scottish starlet currently training with Arsenal.

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