'I hope'...Gers boss drops Sima injury news as forward faces Old Firm fitness battle
26/04/2024 14:58
Rangers need as many forward players as possible on form for the remainder of the season so the return of Abdallah Sima could be pivotal.
Against Hearts, Philippe Clement's best attacking threat from wide positions was Dujon Sterling who beat his marker more times than Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland combined, which says it all.
A return to league action against St Mirren sees the pressure ramped up for Rangers once again, but will Abdallah Sima be in the squad?
READ MORE: All 11 Rangers loan players for 2023/24 season and how they are performing
Rangers given news of Abdallah Sima fitness
The 22-year old forward left the Hampden pitch under his own steam and didn't look too uncomfortable whilst he was doing it.
There also didn't seem to be any trauma or acute incident that caused the injury.
Even before Sima came off, there was no indication that he was injured until McCausland was seen stripping off and getting ready to go on.
After the game, Clement was non-committal on the severity of the issue:
“I don't know yet. We will make that assessment tomorrow or the day after.
“I hope it's not too bad but the doctor didn't speak to me about that.
“I know from experience you can't make that assessment now so it will be tomorrow or the day after.”
With 16 goals for the season despite missing over three months of the season, Sima's influence is an obvious one.
He's scored double the amount of goals that Scott Wright, Matondo and McCausland have between them.
Sima is still rough around the edges but he has an instinct and finishing ability that makes trying to sign him on a permanent basis a no-brainer.
Bathie Toure, Sima's agent, helped broker the move to Rangers and has also hinted at a possible Ibrox return after the summer:
"Abdallah Sima is good at Rangers and wants to continue there," said Toure. "He likes the atmosphere at the club and wants to continue to evolve as a player.
"Abdallah is currently the most exciting young Senegalese player. He is a hard worker and has been looked after well in his career.
"At the moment, he is happy because he is playing every week at Rangers. He feels comfortable there and it is definitely his wish to stay.
"We will see what happens at the end of his loan."
For now, seeing Sima back in full training and available to play is the main objective with Philippe Clement providing an update in his pre-match press conference:
“Sima will be out, I hope to see him again this season he is very motivated for that. Matondo got a bad tackle against Hearts and is doubtful for the weekend. Ridvan and Jack I expect back in training next week.”
Sima loss a huge blow ahead of Old Firm double header
It’s a huge blow for Rangers to lose their best winger, again.
All season it has been one step forward, two steps back.
Getting Sima back for any games now has to be the objective, especially if the league title is still possible going into the final league fixtures.
Not only that, but Philippe Clement will want to face Celtic with his strongest attack, and that always features Sima.
Two games that could decide two trophies.
Rangers now face the post six split fixtures knowing that the first choice front three of Oscar Cortes, Danilo and Sima will all be absent.
Again, all this shows is how good a job Clement is doing with the squad that he has available and will make any more trophies an even bigger achievement.
