Rangers in pole position to sign ‘phenomenal’ Vaclav Cerny replacement as 15-goal star draws interest from Iran

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has emphasized the need to explore cost-effective options in the transfer market, given the rising costs of players in England and Europe’s top leagues.

With this approach in mind, the club has already secured talent from less conventional sources.

One such example is Hamza Igamane, a young center-forward acquired from Moroccan side RAF Rabat for £1.7 million.

Igamane, who has already notched seven goals in nine Premiership appearances, including a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Hibernian, has quickly proven to be a standout performer.

His performances suggest he’s worth far more than the club’s modest investment.

In addition to Igamane, Rangers have brought in players like a Brazilian left-back and an Ivorian midfielder from Denmark, showcasing their willingness to scout globally.

The next potential addition? A winger from Malaysia.

Reports from Asia indicate that Rangers are monitoring Arif Aiman Hanapi, a dynamic right-sided attacker currently starring for Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Hanapi has delivered an impressive 15 goals and eight assists in 23 matches this season, including a hat-trick against Kuala Lumpur FC.

His performances have earned high praise from Johor’s coach, Hector Bidoglio, a former Venezuelan international.

“His overall contribution in both attack and defense has been phenomenal,” Bidoglio said. “It’s fantastic to see him in such fine form.

He works hard every day to improve, and he’s clearly our standout player.”

With the future of Vaclav Cerny, Rangers’ on-loan forward from VFL Wolfsburg, in doubt due to financial constraints, the 22-year-old Hanapi could be an affordable yet exciting alternative.

However, Rangers are not alone in their pursuit of Hanapi.

Persepolis FC, champions of the Persian Gulf Pro League, are also interested.

Despite Persepolis’ interest, Rangers may hold the upper hand due to their superior financial resources.

Additionally, Persepolis faces logistical hurdles as their foreign player quota is currently full, requiring them to offload a non-Iranian player before making a move for Hanapi.

Clement has been vocal about the need for Rangers to strengthen their squad to better compete with Celtic.

He has pointed to Celtic’s significant spending, which has allowed their rivals to build greater squad depth and rotation options.

“They spent £30 million last summer to increase squad depth and rotation possibilities,” Clement said ahead of Rangers’ recent clash with Hibernian.

“Last December, when they had to replace key players like [Cameron] Carter-Vickers and [Reo] Hatate, they also dropped points.

But they’ve been building for the long term. For us, it’s about narrowing the gap in the league if possible.”

Clement’s comments highlight the challenges Rangers face in keeping pace with Celtic, who lead the Premiership standings.

Injuries have tested Rangers’ squad this season, providing opportunities for some players to step up, but Clement remains concerned about the lack of depth overall.

By identifying talents like Igamane and potentially Hanapi, Rangers are demonstrating their commitment to uncovering value in emerging markets.

This strategy could be vital in bridging the gap with Celtic and positioning the club for greater success in the Premiership and beyond.