George Overhill

Thu 9 November 2023 12:10, UK

Abdallah Sima has been given some timely recognition for his emergence as a key man in the Rangers attack but it might not be good news longer term at Ibrox.

The on-loan Brighton winger said he was “loving” his time at the club after being named the SPFL Player of the Month for October, having scored three goals in three victorious Gers appearances last month.

But if the club harbour hopes of keeping the 22-year-old beyond the end of this season it is arguably the last thing they want for his influence on the team to be gaining too much attention.

Times journalist Michael Grant had noted on 23 October that calls from supporters to get the Senegalese forward signed permanently would be “perversely” helped by the negative elements of his game, namely that he is still “inconsistent and unpredictable” while conceding possession too often.

He is right that Rangers are caught in a catch-22 situation of obviously wanting Sima to produce on the pitch in order to aid the team’s hopes of wins and silverware, but the more he does so the more his parent club will see the value in taking him back in the summer.

Sima is still yet to make an appearance for the Seagulls and his stay at Ibrox is his third loan move since the English club bought him in 2021, having spent time with Stoke City and Angers since.

Clearly the performance level under Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi in that time has been high so it would require the former Slavia Prague man to prove himself to a high degree if he is going to force his way into the Premier League outfit.

But at the moment he seems to be doing just that with nine goals and an assist across 20 Rangers appearances in all competitions so far, outshining not only struggling signings Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers but also the improving Danilo in that time, to become the “real asset” that former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones tipped him for [GiveMeSport, 24 October].

At the same time Brighton’s form is down, having failed to win in their past five Premier League games, so it may end up being even easier for him to convince them to finally give him his debut at the Amex following this season.

And even if they don’t feel he can help them first-hand the more he performs for Rangers, and is recognised for it, the higher the chances that a club in a bigger league might swoop in looking to sign him on loan or for an increased fee.

The Light Blues may have the inside track for now given how he appears to be enjoying life at Ibrox, and especially since Philippe Clement’s arrival appears to have lifted spirits throughout the squad.

But it was only a matter of months ago that Malik Tillman’s successful loan in Glasgow led to Bayern Munich cancelling any prospect of him returning because interest had increased elsewhere, with the American now on loan at PSV.

To a certain extent there is nothing Rangers can do about the situation as trying to hide or play down Sima’s progress would be counterproductive, but it would be a frustration to say the least if a stand-out loanee quickly moved out of reach of an extended stay two summers in a row.

In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has told the club to take the captaincy off “serial loser” James Tavernier and hand it to a new arrival.