Daniel Lewis

Sat 30 December 2023 13:11, UK

Abdallah Sima let his Rangers team-mates down with his shocking defending in the first half of the Old Firm clash with Celtic.

The Gers were under the cosh when Paulo Bernardo finally drilled the ball through a sea of bodies and past Jack Butland after 25 minutes.

Up until that point of Saturday’s (30 December) showdown, Celtic had edged things but Rangers also had their moments at Celtic Park.

However, the first goals in these games are often vital and it went the home side’s way, with Sima unfortunately the man at fault.

A corner came in from the right and the Gers man headed the ball from close to the goal line and straight into the path of Bernardo to blast home.

As Chris Sutton said on Sky Sports Main Event [30 December, 12:58pm]: “It’s a wonderful finish. He hits that absolutely flush. But it’s a poor defensive header and Bernardo is onto it.”

Sima is not in the side for his defensive qualities, of course, but it goes without saying that a professional player cannot be as sloppy as that when defending a ball into the box – especially not in this fixture.

Even from an attacking point of view, Sima had just one attempt in the first half and that failed to find the target [Sofascore].

Further to that, he completed only on dribble – the same number as Leon Balogun, for context – and had the second-fewest touches of any outfield Gers player (18).

Thankfully for Sima, there is still another 45 minutes to play at Celtic Park. The Brighton and Hove Albion loanee will just hope he – or a team-mate – can make amends for the defensive error.

In other Rangers news, a BBC Sport pundit has made a “has to go” admission with regards to a Gers-linked player.