Hamza Igamane;Rangers striker finally signed permanent long-term contract with new club

Rangers’ reward for defeating Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce over two legs is a Europa League quarter-final meeting with Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde always dreamed of visiting Ibrox as a player. Now, at the age of 61, the former Barcelona coach will finally tick one lingering ambition off his footballing bucket list.

After taking on Dundee and Hibernian following the March international break, Rangers will host Athletic Club at Ibrox on April 10th before travelling to the Basque Country for the return leg seven days later.

So, as Valverde’s side took on Sevilla last weekend, Barry Ferguson – in his new role as Rangers’ interim boss – would presumably have been tuning in as his preparations begin with a second Europa League final in the space of three years up for grabs.

Despite a dominant first half performance, Sevilla and Athletic ended up pretty evenly matched by the end of the 90 minutes.

And, as perennial Europa League champions Sevilla set their sights on Rangers striker Hamza Igamane ahead of the summer transfer window, anyone tuning in to watch Yeray Alvarez head in an 84th minute winner for the Basque visitors will understand why a centre-forward is top of Los Nervionenses’ wishlist.

Sevilla crying out for a goalscorer amid links with Rangers’ Hamza Igamane

Hamza Igamane has been linked with Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa already. Marseille reportedly see him as an alternative to Mason Greenwood.

As for Sevilla, their name has come up too in the European press over the last few days. No wonder.

Dodi Lukebakio, their talented Belgian winger, is the only Sevilla player to reach double figures during the current La Liga season. For a team who used to possess such attacking talents as Luis Fabiano and Carlos Bacca, the fact that their top scoring centre-forward – Isaac Romero – has just three from 23 starts rather sums up their drop off.