Rangers face Lyon in the Europa League this week with Philippe Clement looking to pick up from where his side left off in Malmo.
The French outfit will be a step up in quality and a lack of wingers in the squad will affect the manager and his team selection.
One player who he would have loved to have at his disposal is someone who he claimed was like one of his sons and proved that he could deliver for Rangers – Abdallah Sima.
- READ MORE: Rangers Net Transfer Spend Summer 2024
Rangers odds of signing Abdallah Sima diminish
The 22-year old’s summer loan move to Brest is paying dividends already.
Having scored on matchday one, Sima has gone one better against RB Salzburg.
The Austrian’s have started poorly but this doesn’t make Brest’s 4-0 away win any less impressive.
Sima added two more goals to his account, both seeing his pace and strength put to good use and his ability to finish on either foot.
It is a move that Brighton will be glad they sanctioned with David Weir explaining why the Ligue 1 side were chosen:
“Abdallah had a successful period with Rangers last season and this loan will give him the opportunity to get regular minutes in a good league at a club who finished third in France last season and will be playing in the Champions League this season.
“We wish him well and Pathway Development Manager Gordon Greer and his team will monitor his progress.”
Champions League form putting pounds on Sima’s price tag
With a year left on his contract next summer, it is unlikely that Brighton will be retaining the services of the Senegal international.
Clement did make attempts to find an agreement with Brighton but the numbers just didn’t add up.
Instead, by sending him to a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues and one that is the Champions League, they are giving themselves a better chance of recouping the £6m fee that the Seagulls paid to Slavia Prague.
If Sima continues to demonstrate that he can score goals at this level, clubs higher up the food chain will take notice and consider making a move too.
Despite his contract situation, all this does is make it harder for Rangers to return for a player who clearly loved his time in Glasgow and sent an emotional message when he didn’t return.
For clubs with Champions League funds, £6m is nothing.
For Rangers, that sort of money can only be spent on zero risk signings, not one with a questionable injury history over the last few seasons, regardless of how many goals they score.
On current form, Rangers won’t be able to afford him, again.
