The Didier Drogba comparison Hamza Igamane is too cheeky to hear as teammate has Rangers Cup Final expectation

Whisper it ... but Leon Balogun sees flashes of Didier Drogba in Rangers’ new striker hero.

The veteran defender isn’t convinced it’s a good idea for Hamza Igamane to hear this verdict. Not when he’s already got “a bit of cheek” about him, according to Balogun. But the centre-half couldn’t help blurting out the level of belief he has in the on-form 22-year-old. Balogun loves the way the Moroccan ace has dragged all his training ground qualities into the spotlight.

Igamane bagged a brace in Nice and plundered Premiership goals against Kilmarnock and Ross County. Then he stunned Spurs with a superb Ibrox strike in the Europa League. Balogun sees the forward as a rare talent and that’s great news for a Rangers squad seeking to improve beyond Celtic. Balogun said: “It’s good to see that he’s able to put things that you see in training on to the big stage when it matters.

“He’s had an excellent run. He’s a strong player. The way he controls the ball with his chest, I don’t think I’ve seen it a lot.

“I don’t want to praise him too much, but it reminds me a little bit of Drogba. But that’s the big one, so don’t tell him I said that! No, but it’s very refreshing, it’s very nice to see it.

“And, yeah, he’s delightful. He’s got a bit of cheek to him as well, loves a nutmeg. He’s been really good. I think his performances speak for themselves.”

Igamane really got a raucous Ibrox rocking on Thursday with the opener against Spurs. Rangers weren’t able to close out the win but the performance was a hugely positive pointer ahead of today’s Premier Sports Cup Final with Celtic.

It was a far cry from the Ibrox fury unleashed only three weeks ago as Philippe Clement’s crew scrambled to a draw with Dundee United. And the Nigerian reckons