It was one of those moments which could have even the most rational and level-headed member of the Rangers support mulling over the existence of curses.
On the same day that Philippe Clement ruled Rangers forward Abdallah Sima out for a significant period due to a ‘long-term’ injury, Nottingham Forest agreed to send Emmanuel Dennis back to former club Watford on loan.
Dennis, The Athletic report, should undergo a medical at Vicarage Road before the close of play on Wednesday.
The irony, of course, is that the Nigeria international heads back to Watford having been offered to Rangers earlier in the window. It was, at the time, an opportunity Rangers seemed unwilling to take, despite the fact that Dennis made his name alongside Clement at Club Brugge a couple of seasons back, exploding onto the scene with goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United in Europe.
Rangers did not take up Emmanuel Dennis chance
At the time, Rangers’ stance was certainly understandable. Dennis has often produced his best performances when drifting in from the left onto his right foot – he struggled when asked to lead the line as a number nine at Forest – meaning he would likely find himself in direct competition with Sima for a starting spot under Clement.
“Emmanuel Dennis has been proposed to the club,” Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri reported on X. “But there hasn’t been an official approach as of now.
“I can confirm the player’s interest for Rangers though.”
Had Sima’s injury come a few weeks earlier, however, Rangers may have been a little more attentive to the opportunity afforded to them by Nottingham Forest, the club’s £20 million forgotten man up for grabs after struggling to make his mark on loan at Istanbul Basaksehir.
Abdallah Sima ruled out
“(Sima will be out) long term,” Clement sighs, the free-scoring forward Rangers’ top marksman from open play with 15 to his name.
“Yes (it’ frustrating to lose Sima). But, like I always said, I want to look at the glass half full. I am not going to go in pity and disappointment.”
The manager may be staying positive but, with Sima ruled out ahead of such a frantic period of the season and with his readymade replacement now heading elsewhere, you might struggle to find many Rangers fans sharing Clement’s ‘glass half full’ mindset.
