Rangers endured a tough evening in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Having won against Real Betis at Ibrox in their opening UEFA Europa League Group C last month, Rangers headed into the match against Aris Limassol away from home with confidence.
Yes, Rangers sacked Michael Beale as their manager last weekend after a run of poor results in the Scottish Premiership, but the fans would have expected the team to do well in Europe, especially against Aris.
However, under caretaker-manager Steven Davis, Rangers went down 2-1.
Rangers were 2-0 down after 59 minutes.
Praise for Rangers forward Abdallah Sima
Abdallah Sima did score for the Gers in the 70th minute, but the Scottish Premiership club could not find the back of the net again in the race.
Not many Rangers players did well, but Sima’s performance has been hailed by BBC Sport Scotland journalist Jane Lewis in Limassol.
Lewis told BBC Sport: “Abdallah Sima was a rare bright spark in what was a poor all round Rangers performance.
“He got his team back into the match with a great header, and he deserved it with the pace and energy he brought to the game.
“Goalkeeper Jack Butland also gets pass marks.”
Impressive stats from Abdallah Sima
Sima has made two starts and five substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers so far this season.
The 22-year-old Senegal international forward has scored two goals in those games.
The Rangers no. 10 has scored two goals in two UEFA Europa League so far this campaign.
Sima is on loan at Rangers from Brighton and Hove Albion at the moment.
It will be interesting to see if the forward gets to start matches for Rangers on a more regular basis in the Scottish Premiership in the coming weeks and months.
