Clinical Rangers took a giant stride towards qualifying for the Europa League knockout stages after running out convincing 4-1 winners over woeful OGC Nice at the Allianz Rivera.
The Ibrox side enjoyed another incredible night on their travels in European competition as three goals in the space of ten first-half minutes all-but killed off the tie as a contest against the depleted Ligue 1 outfit, who were aiming to protect an impressive record on home soil.
Manager Philippe Clement was returning to familiar territory in the Cote d’Azur for the first time since being sacked by Monaco in the summer of 2023. During his time in the south of France, he came up against Nice on three occasions, beating them twice and tasting one defeat.
The Gers were unbeaten in their last five away games against French opposition in all competitions - most recently a 1-1 draw at Lyon in December 2021 - and they were always in control of this encounter against a Nice side who sit fifth in the top-flight.
Following a bright start to the match, Vaclav Cerny opened the scoring after 35 minutes via two deflections when Dujon Sterling’s deep cross was expertly controlled by Hamza Igamane. It was 2-0 just three minutes later when Mohamed Diomande connected with Sterling’s lofted pass to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
The lively Igamane made it three on the stroke of half-time after pouncing on a blind back-pass and rounding the keeper before calmly slotting into an empty net to spark bedlam among the 2,000 strong travelling support. And the Moroccan striker grabbed his second goal of the match nine minutes into the second half after once again intercepting a poor pass before nutmegging a defender and curling the ball into the far corner to cap off a fantastic display.
Visiting stopper Jack Butland was denied the hat-trick his performance merited on 83 minutes when he was beaten by Badredine Bouanani’s free-kick. But the chances kept coming for Clement’s men and substitute Cyriel Dessers missed a sitter from just a couple of yards out in the closing stages with the points already in safe keeping.
Here’s how we rated the Rangers players in France.
9. Vaclav Cerny - 6/10
Sliced an early effort off target. Unable to get a shot away before making up for it seconds later by drilling home the opener via two deflections. Quiet after the break. Subbed. | Getty Images
10. Nedim Bajrami - 6/10
Poor decision making and chose the wrong option by playing a poor pass to Igamane instead of Cerny on early on. Positive going forward but forgot to track back. Lost his marker too often. Low second half effort straight at the keeper. Eventually moved into his favoured No.10 position. Great delivery led to a chance for Yilmaz. Subbed. Photo: Andrew Milligan
11. Hamza Igamane - 9/10
Favoured to lead the line over Dessers. Positive early hold-up play. Should've shot first-time but elected to take a touch following a quick counter-attack. Had to deal with a number of direct balls. Superb run across the box before laying it off for Cerny to score. Composed finish after intercepting a slack pass back and rounding the keeper to make it 3-0 on stroke of half-time. Often found himself in a one-v-one situation. Nutmegged a defender before coolly curling home his second goal. Staked a strong claim to keep his place going forward. Subbed. | Getty Images
12. Ross McCausland (SUB) - 4/10
Replaced Cerny with half an hour remaining. Didn't manage to create anything but offered more attacking impetus. | SNS Group