RANGERS boss Russell Martin revealed that want-away striker Hamza Igamane refused to come off the bench during Sunday’s draw at St Mirren.

Under growing pressure from supporters, Martin watched his team toil once again in Paisley as their poor start to the new season continued.

It took a late equaliser from young substitute Findlay Curtis 12 minutes from time to rescue a point for the under-fire manager.

Hamza Igamane refused to come off the bench, according to manager Russell Martin

Rangers head coach Martin is frustrated after dropping more points at St Mirren

Martin revealed afterwards that he had wanted to bring Igamane on as a sub in the second half, only for the Moroccan forward to claim he was injured.

Igamane was the target of an unsuccessful loan offer from Lille during the week and remains linked with a potential exit from Ibrox before the transfer window closes.

‘We had a bid this week for Hamza,’ said Martin, whose team is now six points behind Celtic in the lead-up to next weekend’s Old Firm match at Ibrox. ‘I asked him at 60 minutes, and Hamza told me he’s injured.

‘He wouldn’t be on the bench if he weren’t fit. But Hamza mentioned the injury occurred during the warm-up. I obviously have to trust him, but we’ll see. He said he had a sore quad and couldn’t come on.

Igamane leaves the pitch at the end of the game after refusing to play

‘I have to trust him, but we’ll see. The problem is that the window remains open, and some people are half-focused. We need the window to close.

‘There are too many individuals uncertain, and we must ensure we have people who want to be here. Some of the players are quite young. The situation will become clearer in the next ten days. I’m calm about it.

‘I’m really pleased with the players we have, but in 10 days, we should be even more satisfied with our roster. And those who are not fully committed probably need to find playing opportunities elsewhere.’

Martin pointed to the example of Cyriel Dessers as someone who has continued to apply themselves despite their future at the club being unclear.

Martin has held talks with Dessers over the summer and, whilst it is understood that the player would be open to a move and a fresh start elsewhere, at no point has he downed tools and explicitly asked to leave.

Findlay Curtis celebrates with Nico Raskin after levelling for Rangers

Jonah Ayunga is hailed by St Mirren team-mates after giving them the lead against Rangers

‘Cyriel has worked hard to get himself fit,’ said Martin. ‘He wasn’t quite ready today but he’ll probably be fit for Wednesday night against Brugge.

‘Whilst he has made it really clear what his intention or desire would be, there’s been no problem with him. None.

‘Cyriel trains properly, he’s part of the team, and he plays. But everyone’s different. He’s quite experienced, whereas some of the other guys are quite young.’

Rangers have now failed to win any of their opening three league matches of the new campaign, with the 1-1 draw in Paisley following draws against Motherwell and Dundee.

Martin and his players will now head to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie, which sees them trail 3-1.

The under-fire manager was left to lament a slow start and a poor first-half display yesterday, with Saints leading through Jonah Ayunga’s opener before Curtis fired a late equaliser.

‘We don’t start well enough again, not enough energy and intensity,’ said Martin. ‘The ball can’t get behind us like that two-v-one, it’s impossible.

Thelo Aasgaard reacts after St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George saved his effort

‘It’s much easier when you show courage to take the ball and stick to the ball.

‘There’s too much tension, there’s not enough courage with the ball, so we have to fight more than we should without the ball. It’s nothing new.

‘The second half we finish strongly and I thought we’d go on to win the game, but we don’t. We will work it out, we’ll get feedback from the players.

‘Usually eight weeks in, you’re two or three games in. We’re having to learn quickly. The whole dynamic can change by the end of next week.

‘Perspective is really important. There’s a few areas we’re looking to strengthen, but I don’t think there’s anything imminent.

‘But we have had bids for a couple of players, so it’s only natural that we would look to replace them.’