Barry Ferguson in heated Hamza Igamane exchange as Rangers factor 'we don't know' lingers

The striker was called out by boss Russell Martin after declaring himself injured and refusing to come off the bench

Irked Barry Ferguson insists that nobody can know if Hamza Igamane was REALLY injured after he refused to come on against St Mirren.

Russell Martin unleashed on the Moroccan striker - who he had wanted to substitute on for the final half hour of the 1-1 draw with St Mirren.

The boss told the press after the game that Igamane, who was passed fit before kick-off, claimed he'd picked up a quad injury in the warm-up and couldn't play.

Martin noted that a bid had been kicked out for the striker before the call by the frontman - and Lille have now ramped up their interest as they prepare a £9million bid.

But things got heated for the former boss on the Go Radio phone lines as Rangers' fans raged about Igamane's perceived snub.

But Ferguson said: "Look, we don't know. If it's an injury you can't bring him on, I have seen it myself.

"I have been involved where players have got injured in the warm up. Look, you would go back and say to the physio and the physio would obviously report to the manager that the player is feeling an issue.

"We just need to wait and see if it's an injury, if's it's not and the player has refused to come on - well, I find that really disappointing.

"At the end of the day Rangers pay your wages, you are a Rangers player, you have got to help your teammates out.

"We just have to wait to see where that story goes. I know the manager had mentioned there was a bid knocked back during the week and if that had a part to play - but it shouldn't, at the end of the day you are a Rangers player and you are paid to play. If it's an injury, well, it's impossible to come on and play. If it's not, I would be really disappointed if that's the case.

'Rangers needed good players on the pitch, and Hamza is that type of player who can change a game - we just have to see how this story works out."

Caller Derek wasn't happy with that take as he called out the iconic skipper and former interim boss: "Barry, stop trying to bluff people, we know he's not injured..."

Ferguson quickly clapped back: "How do you know that Derek? What are you talking about bluffing? How do you know that? How do you know he's not injured?

He responded: "Why would you not tell your manager on the bench?

The former Rangers midfielder said: "We don't know how it operated on the bench."

Derek cut in - noting there is no player bigger than the club. Ferguson simply responded: "There is no player bigger than the club, I have always said that."