After Abdallah Sima kicked off the Philippe Clement reign with a deadly double, there were high Rangers hopes on the striker kicking on under the club’s new boss.
After all, the Senegalese attacker was the form Rangers player when the Belgian manager came into the job, having scored in five games on the bounce.
But since that double in the 4-0 win over Hibs on Philippe Clement’s debut as manager, the goals have dried up for Abdallah Sima.
Worryingly, so has a lot of the confidence.
Brighton loanee toils in Aberdeen
In the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima came in for criticism from Rangers supporters after the match.
No-one in the Ibrox team covered themselves in glory in Aberdeen, the club’s inability to deal with early Dons pressure and wastefulness in front of goal proving costly.
It wasn’t just that Abdallah Sima never got on the scoresheet in the game, the 9-goal forward barely even got a sniff on goal.
But for a Todd Cantwell cross fizzed across the six-yard box – where Abdallah Sima really should’ve found himself in at the back post – the Rangers star failed to fashion any real chances and cut a frustrated figure at Pittodrie.
It’s quite a way from the rampant forward who won October’s Player of the Month and who had everyone praying for a permanent move to Rangers.
Abdallah Sima role evolves under Philippe Clement
The Scottish Premiership draw with Aberdeen was the striker’s seventh straight game without a goal.
Whilst many will claim that Abdallah Sima, who remains a tireless presence in the Ibrox attack, is contributing in different ways the lack of goals will be a worry for Philippe Clement.
Perhaps a mixture of the natural fluctuation of a young player’s form, combined with subtle changes in approach from manager, has had an impact amid the forward’s red-hot streak.
It’s clear Philippe Clement rates Abdallah Sima – he has started all eight of the manager’s games in charge – but there has certainly been a change in the player as of late.
The Belgian boss has made clear his demands for both offensive and defensive discipline at Rangers with a collective approach very much the focus.
Whilst both parties will point to the team being the most important thing, goals are football’s greatest currency and Abdallah Sima will be hoping to get back amongst them very soon.
