As one of the ‘Newcastle Five’, Gaël Bigirimana’s brief spell at Rangers came at a time when a huge shadow was cast over the club.
He made the move to Ibrox alongside Remie Streete, Kevin Mbabu, Haris Vučkić and Shane Ferguson in an infamous switch that had more to do with matters off the pitch than on it.
The players were put in a difficult position in a move that was engineered by Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, said to have cost Rangers £5000.00 per week in wages.
Unfortunately, for Bigirimana, he would never get the chance to play in a Rangers shirt. At the time, he had a medical condition that would not allow him to play in Scotland despite featuring for Newcastle reserves just a few hours before the journey to Glasgow on transfer deadline day in January 2015.
Ahead of Rangers meeting with another of his former club’s Motherwell on Sunday, Vital Rangers asked the player if at the time, did he think it was strange for five players to be moving to the same club together, on loan.
He responded, “Not as such. For me, it was my second year at Newcastle. The first year went well for me as an individual but after the second year I did not play as many games, it was mostly in reserves. Then in January 2015, we were told there was an opportunity to go to Rangers. At the time, I was 21 and the other guys were around the same age. Rangers is a massive club so why not make the move.
This Newcastle Chronicle article takes a look at the rise and fall of Bigirimana at St James Park
A few weeks later when Dave King finally secured control of the boardroom to start the process of rebuilding Rangers, it meant that the Sports Direct/Ashley linked Leach and Llambias were ousted. It was put to the now 27 year old Burundi international if, as a player, he was aware of the overall situation that was unfolding at Ibrox and the control that certain Newcastle linked figures held?
“No, not really. I didnt have a clue. You’re contracted to the club and if they present a loan offer as it was in this case and ask you if you’re willing to go, you go. If not then things might happen.”
“There was no other information given to us at all, we were there at Rangers just to play football.”
“Afterwards, you hear people talking and rumours, things about Ashley and other stuff.”
Did he feel used?
Due to the condition, ‘Bigi’ never played for Rangers first team. Mbabu lined up for the reserves, Ferguson featured late on around the Motherwell playoffs, Streete appeared briefly then was injured for the period, only Vučkić was a relative success. With the way things happened, Bigirimana feel used in any way?
“No. I dont think so. It is more or less one of those things that happens in football. Life isnt always rosy and happy. In the reality of that situation, you just have to accept it, to adapt and come out stronger for the experience. I don’t think they were trying to use me and there was no bad feeling. The decision was made for the best of the club (NUFC), thats what I was told.”
Vital Rangers asked the player if there was anything particularly memorable that he took away from his experience overall at Ibrox?
Obviously, I never got to play in front of the fans which was disappointing. The thing for me was the staff who are there. The physios were great with me and the kit man (Bigirimana laughs), I think hes been there for centuries, right?
VR (Jimmy Bell. Yes, he’s a Rangers hero. Do you have funny story about Jimmy?)
His pies, wow. He used to bring these pies into training every other week, someone made them for him. they were lovely, yeah they were so nice!
The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell also got the apple pie revelation from Nikica Jelavic.
Gaël Bigirimana is now enjoying life in Belfast with his wife and two children, where he plays for Glentoran. He has signed a one year deal at The Oval and hopes to make a significant impression and contribution to the team in order to extend his stay and progress. Like everyone else, he is experiencing uncertainty with the pandemic and aims to focus on his faith and his passion for football.