Derek Ferguson shares Philippe Clement verdict over Oscar Cortes transfer after ‘big blow’ at Rangers
We’re delighted to welcome former Ibrox star Derek Ferguson as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points in Govan…
Derek Ferguson is eager to see what Oscar Cortes can bring to Rangers and thinks he will have to hit the ground running after the “big blow” of losing Abdallah Sima to injury.
Four Lads Had A Dream posted on X on Wednesday to say that the winger will be announced as the latest transfer window arrival at Ibrox imminently as he is in Glasgow finalising terms over his move from Ligue 1 outfit Lens.
The 20-year-old has only made four Ligue 1 appearances since moving to France in the Summer but with Sima picking up an injury while on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal, boss Philippe Clement has been searching for an option out wide to replace the excellent on-loan Brighton man who has 10 Scottish Premiership goals this season.
Former Rangers man Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, thinks it could be tough for Cortes to settle but trusts Clement to make the right decision.
“It looks like he’s going to need to (replace Sima), because it looks like Sima’s going to be out for the season,” he said.
“That looks a certainty, which is a big blow because he’s been arguably our best player at Rangers Sima, so I just cannot believe he’s been away already and picked up an injury.
“With the introduction of this boy that’s coming in, he’s maybe not played a lot of football but he’s a youngster, he’s hungry, and obviously he’s talented because he’s been pretty sought after.
“It’s someone Clement thinks he can improve, he can add to the squad. So I’m looking forward to it.
“I just hope he can adapt to obviously the weather, maybe the parks at the moment aren’t in the best of nick, we went through a period for a couple of weeks where it was frost and that, I think a lot of clubs have the undersoil heating on which doesn’t help so the playing surfaces at the moment aren’t the greatest.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the guy come in and seeing how he performs.”
In other Rangers news, Aston Villa have agreed a deal for an Arsenal player the Gers reportedly wanted.
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