Igamane on 'next stage', Raskin told Belgium 'risk' and Bilbao warning fired – Rangers news latest

It's the latest news involving Rangers as derby hero Igamane talks Morocco and Nico Williams plots Bilbao Euro success

Hamza Igamane wants to complete his dream come true moment by landing his international debut with Morocco.

The Rangers striker headed for the national team camp full of confidence after netting a stunning winner beyond Kasper Schmeichel at Parkhead to give Barry Ferguson and Co victory over Brendan Rodgers and his troops in a five-goal thriller.

It's been a top week for the hitman - who joined Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande on the scoresheet for the Ibrox side - and he could add to it by making his bow for the World Cup semi-finalists in a qualifier against Niger.

Although the game is an away fixture for Morocco, the match is being held in their own country at Oujda because Niger have no suitable stadiums to host the match. And Igamane is desperate to win his first cap for the Atlas Lions at the age of 22.

He said: "My dream has come true because I was named in the squad. This is all because of my family and friends who accompanied me all the way to fulfil this ambition.

"They shared their congratulations with me and have helped me right from my beginnings in football. Now the next stage is to play for my country in these games.

"I look forward to my first appearance with the Atlas Lions and will give everything I have to help the team. This team is the best in Africa and among the best in the world.

"When you join the squad and actually play, that's the most a Moroccan player can hope for, especially if you're just starting out like me.

"I'm here to learn and contribute to what the manager expects from me. Everyone has embraced me and the appreciation I've received reflects the wonderful atmosphere within the squad."

Meanwhile, Nico Williams admits playing a European final in their own stadium would be the highlight of his career.

And he's determined 'spectacular' Athletic Bilbao will knock Rangers out and move a step closer to his ambition.

Rangers face the La Liga side in the quarter finals of the Europa League early next month with the second leg in Spain.

The high flyers have further motivation to go through because their San Mames stadium will host its first ever European final in May.

And Williams - the Spain hero who netted the opening goal and was Man of the Match in their Euro 2024 Final win over England - is determined to win silverware with his club.

He said: "For me and for every Athletic fan in the world, reaching the final in Bilbao would be incredible. It would be a dream.

"I've been playing for Athletic since I was a child and you always dream of winning trophies.

"Because of where the final is this year, the Europa League is a very special tournament for us. I don't think anyone would understand this unless you are an Athletic fan.

"You saw what it was like when we won the Copa del Rey last year so can you imagine what it would be like if we won the Europa League in our own city?

"We have to dream. We have to believe. We have a spectacular group of players and I think this is the year.

"If we keep playing the way we have been in this tournament, we have a chance to reach that final and be champions.

"But we have to concentrate on the quarter finals with Rangers first.

"We are doing well in La Liga too and we have big ambitions for this season."

Elsewhere, Nico Raskin is on Belgium top team duty for the first time.

But former international cap Philippe Albert believes it would be a RISK to start him against Ukraine insisting 'his time will come'

He's been on top form at club level for Rangers of late and opened the scoring in the 3-2 win over Celtic before the break.

Speaking in the Belgian press, Albert said: "Raskin deserves his selection, but it would be a risk to start him. He's doing a good job at Rangers, and that was already the case at the end of his time at Standard.

"He has a bright future ahead of him, and his time will come. In the midfield, I'm going for Tielemans, De Bruyne and Vanaken."