Simon Donnelly raves about Rangers star Abdallah Sima as Hugh Keevins reacts to ‘bad’ Ibrox development
Former Celtic forward Simon Donnelly raved about the performances of Rangers ace Abdallah Sima, as Hugh Keevins reacted to the “bad” situation that unfolded at Ibrox this week.
On-loan Brighton winger Sima has 12 goals in all competitions for Rangers this season and enjoyed a brilliant week where a double in a 2-0 win over St Mirren was followed up by scoring the winner in a 1-0 triumph at Hearts on Wednesday (6 December).
There have been calls by some for Sima to be moved up front when Dundee visit Ibrox on Saturday (9 December) after it was confirmed forward Danilo might need surgery on a knee injury sustained in the Hearts win.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, pundit Donnelly said: “The lad Sima’s in good goalscoring form, he likes to run in behind as we’ve seen with the goal at Tynecastle the other night. And he seems to be quite composed in front of goal.
“He’s obviously hitting a bit of confidence there so I think that would be the sensible option then you know you try and fit in the younger lad (Ross) McCausland in the wider areas but I think yeah that would make sense to play him through the middle.”
Daily Record journalist Keevins concurred, suggesting it might have been an option to explore for boss Philippe Clement regardless of the unfortunate timing of Danilo’s setback.
“If everyone was fit, Sima is the best striker Rangers have at the moment. It wouldn’t matter about Danilo, Dessers,” he said.
“He looks so lively, he looks deadly at the moment. So, he’s the main man right now. Danilo (was) very unfortunate, two bad injuries in such a short space of time that’s just bad luck.”
Worth a punt?
There has been an increasing clamour for Sima to be selected to lead the line against Dundee and the loss of Danilo – who missed nine games with a broken cheekbone earlier this term – to a fresh setback has only enhanced those calls.
It would represent somewhat of a risk given how good Sima has been playing out on the left, 12 goals is a great return considering we’re only just approaching Christmas, and there is no guarantee he would have the same impact centrally.
But, right now, it probably is worth a punt isn’t it? Danilo is probably the best striker option but he has had injury trouble and Kemar Roofe has continued to struggle with his own injury trouble.
That means Cyriel Dessers is the other option and, frankly, he just has not been able to prove that he can be the man to lead the line at Ibrox this season. In fact if Clement can bring a forward or two in during the January window it wouldn’t be a shock to see Dessers moved on.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson admits he was wrong about Sima.