Rangers should deal Hamza Igamane the ultimate ignominy because he has achieved nothing
The Moroccan striker has only been a standout in four games and his act of subordination at the weekend was a disgrace
Sports reporter who has worked for the Daily Record and Sunday Mail for 10 years, covering a wide range of sports, particularly football. Scott has covered matches at SPL, European and International level, as well as reporting from other major events like Wimbledon and the The Open.
You can blame Russell Martin for a lot of things at Rangers right now.
In fact, the list is growing with each pitiful Premiership performance.
We’ll get on to some of them shortly.
But there’s one thing you can’t pin on the under-fire Ibrox gaffer. And that’s the behaviour of Hamza Igamane on Sunday.
Only the Moroccan himself really knows if he was injured and incapable of coming off the bench against St Mirren.
But there was no sign of any issues when he did the half-time warm-up.
That’s apart from his attitude, of course. During the first half, when Rangers’ subs were ordered to go behind the goal for a loosener, Findlay Curtis, Connor Barron and Mikey Moore ran round.
Igamane walked. In fact, sauntered might be a better word.
Clearly in a huff at not starting, the 22-year-old was probably thinking about life in Lille instead of Paisley.
Given the grey skies at the SMISA, that you could just about forgive.
But when he refused his manager’s request to go on and help his side after an hour - Igamane crossed a line.
You could only imagine how legendary Gers boss Walter Smith would have reacted.
At full-time, the striker would have been pinned up against the away dressing-room wall.
And he would never kick another ball for Rangers.
That’s not to mention how a team-mate like Richard Gough, Ally McCoist or Barry Ferguson would have dealt with him.
It’s a different time now, of course. But football principles are the same.
And there should be no way back for Igamane at Ibrox after this.
The irony is, his conduct at the weekend only highlighted exactly why Martin is desperately trying to change the culture at this club.
Smith famously said: “Do not enter unless you are ready to put yourself second - and that should be the one and only time second should be good enough for you.”
Unfortunately for the current manager, that type of ethos hasn’t been prevalent at Rangers for a long time.
A whole host of players have been getting away with murder for the best part of 15 years, leaving the place riddled with failure.
Who does Igamane think he is? Let’s be clear, the player signed from AS FAR 13 months ago has achieved next to NOTHING at Ibrox.
He’s a talented kid, for sure. But ever since Philippe Clement plucked him from obscurity, he’s been a rough diamond, who still needs some serious polishing up.
Igamane played 46 times for Rangers last season and scored 16 goals.
But the truth is, he was a stand-out just four times.
When he scored a hat-trick at Hibs in the league, a brace away to Nice in Europe, a cracker against Spurs - and the winner in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
A decent start to his career at Rangers but nothing spectacular.
With so many rough edges, an inconsistent Igamane should have gone away over the summer and worked his a**e off.
His sole aim ought to have been returning to Rangers fitter, stronger and ready to take his game to the next level.
Instead, he’s gone backwards.
From the outside, it looks like he’s been told of interest from Lille and set his heart on it.
No doubt, his advisors will have sold it to him, despite the lack of a serious bid from the French club.
And from that point on, he’s put the tools away as far as Rangers are concerned.
Since he was late back to training with Martin’s squad due to a VISA issue, he’s been sulkier than Alfredo Morelos towards the end of his time in Glasgow.
But at the least the Colombian had the decency to become the club’s all-time top European scorer - and bag a title - before he decided to throw his toys out of the pram.
Igamane has some front. We’re led to believe the only ‘offer’ from Lille for his services was a cheeky loan deal, which has been rejected by Rangers.
Now, Martin and the club’s hierarchy have a big decision to make.
Of course, the gaffer wants rid of him, along with a few others.
That will probably happen but it will mean Igamane gets what he wants.
There’s also the option to take a more hardline stance.
Remember, this isn’t a player Rangers paid a big transfer fee for. And his wages won’t be astronomical either.
Lille apart, European clubs aren’t exactly cueing up to bid big bucks for him.
After what happened in Paisley, if you were Andrew Cavenagh or Patrick Stewart, you’d be tempted to tell Igamane’s representatives that unless someone coughs up £8 million, he’ll be staying put and training with Rangers’ kids for a year.
After all, he’s got four years left on his current contract.
Maybe that’s not the done thing these days. Letting a squad know that no player is bigger than the club.
But it would certainly put a marker down. Not just by Rangers, but by Martin as well.
The truth is, he’s got bigger riddles to solve. Like how to win a game of football.
His primary challenge on Sunday was making sure that St Mirren fixture didn’t pan out like every single Rangers fan feared it would.
Instead, his team ticked every box for their beleaguered punters.
Slow, laboured build-up. Check. Too many unnecessary passes. Check. Poor on second balls. Check.
Lack of urgency, tempo or intensity. Check. Being bullied by St Mirren’s front two. Check.
The list goes on. That’s why Martin was booed off the pitch by supporters at full-time.
It actually feels remarkable that after failing to win a league game yet, Rangers are still only six points behind Celtic.
If they somehow win the Old Firm derby next Sunday, a three-point deficit - after a shambolic start to the campaign - would be a result for the manager.
But if it stretches to nine and four league games without a win, with Hearts up next followed by Hibs in the cup?
Martin won’t have his problems to seek. And an insubordinate Igamane will be the least of his worries.