Rangers v Celtic: ‘Huge’ Abdallah Sima prediction issued after ‘massive boost’ at Ibrox
Abdallah Sima’s return from injury against Hibs has provided a “massive boost” to Rangers and but he will likely start the Old Firm derby on the bench, predicts Derek Ferguson.
The former Ibrox favourite has tipped the Brighton loanee to have a “huge impact” coming on as a substitute while admitting he would be a nailed-on starter if he had been back from his long-term lay-off for a while longer.
The wide man has been outstanding this term, contributing 15 goals so far, but was out for three months injured after getting hurt without seeing a minute of action at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal in January.
His return just in time for a crucial clash with Celtic is something that Ferguson is pleased to see benefit Philippe Clement, but he thinks it might have just come too early for him to force his way into the XI for kick off on Sunday (7 April).
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “It’s difficult to say because in terms of his fitness we don’t know if he can play 45 or 60 minutes.
“It was a massive boost for everybody when he came on for the last 20 minutes against Hibs, played centre-forward, didn’t play in a wide area.
“So he certainly looks capable with the pace and the power and the quality that he has to play through the middle.
“I’m kind of getting a thinking that he’ll be on the bench, and maybe come on if need be. But certainly the bench looks a lot stronger [with him on it].
“If we’d had Sima fit and playing, he had two or three games under his belt, he’d be a certain starter but his fitness is maybe just questionable at this time.
“But he could certainly come on and make a huge impact in this game.”
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Prior to his injury Sima, 22, was arguably neck and neck with Jack Butland for signing of the season at Ibrox, so if he can return to anything like his previous form he would be a major asset for Clement.
That the Belgian signed Oscar Cortes on loan in the January window to plug the gap, only to see the exciting Colombian then struck down by a serious injury set back of his own is a measure of the endless struggle against selection crises at Ibrox this season.
The manager admitted in his prematch press conference (5 April) he has a big decision to make on when to use Sima, who he says is fit to start but won’t last 90 minutes, and if he gets it right it could go a long way towards securing a hugely significant derby result.
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