The unseen Rangers language barriers 'three amigos' are breaking down (2025)

Hamza Igamane, Jefte and Oscar Cortes need to have a certain level of English as Gers are getting them up to scratch

The impact on the pitch of Hamza Igamane, Jefte and Oscar Cortes for Rangers this season has been a mixed bag. But off it, the trio have teamed up to improve their English as they adapt to life in Glasgow.

Cortes arrived midway through last season on loan, but after suffering an injury, that was extended to this season with an obligation to sign the Colombian permanently in the summer locked in.

He returned to the starting line up against Aberdeen at the weekend, but was hooked at half-time with Barry Ferguson's side in the familiar position of 2-0 down.

Jefte has played fairly regularly at left back, although now faces stiff competition from Ridvan Yilmaz.

Igamane hit form midway through the season after being kept in reserve by Philippe Clement, but has seen the goals dry up in recent weeks, bar his dramatic late winner at Celtic Park.

But given the trio rocked up with no English and only spoke their respective native languages of Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish, the chance to get to grips with everything that comes with moving club from across the globe needs to be afforded.

That's why the three have been put through basic English lessons by the club, and player liaison officer Max Ashmore explains how key an aspect that is, which fans often take for granted.

He said: "It's actually really difficult when boys are coming over from countries, and they're coming over alone, don't speak English.

"it's hard enough to understand the English language, never mind some of the Scottish ones that are here!

"So it can be really difficult, but the biggest thing for us and part of my job is to make sure the guys coming over have an understanding and adapt as quickly as they can.

"For football players, it's important that life off the pitch is comfortable. If that's in a good place then more often than not, it helps them perform on the pitch as quickly as possible as well.

"We've gone from having Google translate conversations to actually converse with them. Having the three lads to actually be able to communicate in English since they've been putting the graft in is great.

"The fact that the three of them have got each other and are all at a similar level with their English, it's helping with that competitive aspect. They're getting better every week."

Mags Wilson is the English language teacher Rangers have tasked with getting the "three amigos" up to spec. And she told Rangers TV that a basic level is now mandatory for any transfer to take place. She said: "Any international sports person coming into the UK now has to be able to meet the requirements of an English language test.

"I know some people think a professional footballer can just come here, but you need to pass a test to meet visa requirements.

"Fortunately it's not high level English, it's beginner and some students actually go on to do the elementary level but they need to pass it to stay here more than 12 months. So it's really crucial that they pass their English language test.

"Not having any language skills can feel a bit isolating it's really important. Although they're playing football and learning the culture, language is one of the things that helps them integrate into whatever city or club they play in or for.

"Language is one thing that will free them up and help them communicate on the pitch, so it's important.

"We here in Scotland tend to make our vowels quite small and our mouths move really fast, so it's really difficult to understand, even people from down south here in Glasgow particularly.

"So a lot of the players would say 'I understand you but I don't understand what's happening outside' because we are so fast. And you have the Scottish accent on top of words that are not in the English dictionary.

"So that's a challenge but we tend to tackle that later. basic English is the priority to start with.

"In the beginning it was tough because you are trying to get three individuals motivated but it's working so well now. They're building up a good rapport in the classroom.

"We're doing a bit of competitive English so it brings out their competitive side and you can seem them bonding better and use their English rather than relying on the Portuguese and Spanish to communicate in the class. I can see a big difference.