Those Marcus Coco to Rangers rumours are now over for good after the winger signed a new contract at Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes on Tuesday.
Sometimes, a link emerges seemingly from nowhere and disappears almost immediately afterwards. A rumour which just appears in the press and then returns from where it came, never to be mentioned again.
This was one of those; the Daily Record citing unnamed ‘reports’ in France suggesting that Marcus Coco had emerged as a target for Mick Beale’s Rangers.
That was the first – and the last – we heard about the former France U21 international as far as a potential move to Ibrox was concerned. And, after extending his stay at Nantes by another two years, Coco has now drawn a line under one of this summer’s odder scraps of speculation.
“I am very happy to extend the adventure here at FC Nantes. Even relieved!” Coco tells the club’s official website.
“I am obviously very attached to this club, with which I will begin my fifth season. Despite four mixed years, I am determined to return the confidence granted (in me) by the management and the coach.
“I really see this contract extension at FC Nantes as a new impetus, while relying on what I have already experienced here and which will serve me for the future.”
Marcus Coco to Rangers rumour comes to an end
Now 27, Coco has struggled for game time since joining Nantes in a £2.5 million deal from Guingamp in 2019. He was, at least, part of the squad which ended Les Canaris’ two-decade trophy drought last year, beating Nice in the Coupe de France final.
A versatile forward who can play anywhere across the frontline, the place Coco would have occupied at Rangers should now be taken by Abdallah Sima; the former Slavia Prague talisman arriving on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
“We are delighted to have Abdallah join us for the forthcoming season,” Beale tells the Rangers website. “He is a player I’m excited to work with. He has excellent variety in his game, and can fulfil a number of attacking positions in our team.
“He’s recently turned 22 years old. And (Sima) has experienced playing in three domestic top divisions; in the Europa League and is a senior international for Senegal.
“We met a few weeks ago. (We) discussed at length his alignment to our style of play and his future development as a player.
“He is someone I have followed closely since his breakthrough in the Czech Republic. I am extremely pleased to have Abdallah join the squad at the very start of pre-season.”
