‘Huge’ – Pundit responds to ‘Massive Boost’ on Rangers player for Celtic encounter.
Abdallah Sima’s return from injury against Hibs has brought a “massive boost” to Rangers, but he will likely start the Old Firm derby on the bench, according to Derek Ferguson. The former Ibrox favourite believes the Brighton loanee would make a “huge impact” as a replacement, but admits he would be a definite starter if he had been returned from his long-term layoff for a longer period of time.
The wide player has been superb this season, scoring 15 goals, but was sidelined for three months due to an injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal in January. Ferguson is thrilled to see Philippe Clement thrive from his return just in time for a key match against Celtic, but he believes it may have come too soon for him to force his way into the starting lineup on Sunday (7 April). He told Ibrox News exclusively: “It’s tough to say because we don’t know if he’s fit enough to play 45 or 60 minutes.
“It was a big boost for everyone when he came on for the final 20 minutes against Hibs, played centre-forward, and did not play in a wide area. “So he certainly appears to be capable of playing through the middle, given his pace, power, and quality.”
“I’m getting the impression that he’ll be on the bench and maybe come on if needed. “But the bench looks much stronger [with him on it].”If Sima was fit and playing, with two or three games under his belt, he’d be a lock for starter, but his fitness is uncertain at the moment. “But he could certainly come on and make a huge impact in this game.”
Glorious Rangers comeback for Brighton loanee vs Celtic?
Prior to his injury, Sima, 22, was perhaps neck and neck with Jack Butland for the season’s best signing at Ibrox, so if he can regain his old form, he will be a huge asset for Clement. That the Belgian signed Oscar Cortes on loan in the January window to fill the void, only to see the dynamic Colombian sidelined by a catastrophic injury setback of his own, exemplifies Ibrox’s never-ending battle with selection dilemmas this season.
The manager revealed in his prematch news conference (5 April) that he has a crucial decision to make on when to utilise Sima, who he claims is fit to start but won’t last 90 minutes, and if he gets it right, it may go a long way towards securing a huge derby victory.