Hemdani Algeria manager: the Rangers training ground fight anecdote

Brahim Hemdani is beginning his career as manager with a mixed record: a victory over Zambia (3-1) in Tizi Ouzou, followed by a hard-fought draw in Burundi (2-2) after trailing 2-0, thanks to goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina. The Fennecs will play one more match during this gathering, a friendly against Niger on Tuesday in Tizi Ouzou.

Chosen to succeed Vladimir Petkovic — while the Algerian federation had initially targeted several Spanish and Portuguese coaches — Hemdani will have the opportunity to confirm his choices in November, with two decisive clashes against Togo in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

His spell at Rangers (2005-2007) as a tough defensive midfielder has resurfaced thanks to testimony from Rory Loy, a striker who came through the Scottish club’s academy. The former player recalls a memorable altercation between Hemdani and midfielder Gavin Rae during a training session.

“He was a bit rough, but that’s how Gavin Rae trained. Brahim wasn’t happy at all and he raised his fist to hit him, but you could already see him thinking about what he was doing and opened his hand to slap him across the face. Gavin Rae got heated and they had to be pulled apart,” Loy told the BBC, not without amusement.

Lionel Létizi, Julien Rodriguez, Jérémy Clément and Dado Prso also played in Rangers’ squad at that time, under the direction of notably Alex McLeish. A period that clearly forges strong characters.