Rangers transfer news: Abdallah Sima ‘first on the list’ for Brighton deal, other deals depend on money left after

The former Scotland goalkeeper said on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on 11 December that the on-loan Brighton attacker will surely now be the priority at Ibrox after his strong run of goalscoring form continued against both Hearts and Dundee in the past week.

According to Alan Rough, Abdallah Sima will be “first on the list” for Rangers during the January transfer window, and any additional acquisitions will rely on the remaining funds.

Peter Martin and Neil Lennon both agreed that the 22-year-old has been a leading light for the Gers this season, while Tam McManus had to admit he had been proven wrong by the Senegalese international who has been “excellent” after some initial struggles.

Sima has got to be one of the great standouts who deserve recognition and a pat on the back from the SPFL teams this season, according to Martin (20m 40s). He deserves a ton of praise and is hammering in goals.

“Yes, Rangers are already discussing what they might do in the January window, and he’s the first one that will cost money,” Rough retorted. He might have a little while remaining on his deal at his current club, so I can see why he would be first in line.

“They have him there; he has played football in Europe and knows what it’s like to play in front of 50,000 fans, so he will be first on the list. Depending on how much cash is left over for the remainder.

Lennon then added: “He’s been their best signing. His header the other day was fantastic, all different kinds of goals as well. He’s a man bang in form for Rangers at the minute, no question.”

And McManus said: “It’s been a great turnaround because initially I thought he looked poor to be honest, the opening games for Rangers I thought, ‘he’s not going to do it’.

“But to be fair to him he’s took the criticism from the supporters, he’s battled back, and he’s been excellent. The goal against Hearts he runs right through, great pace, finishes it. Different type of goal at the weekend there as well, wins a penalty kick, so he’s involved in everything good about Rangers at the minute.”

Proven himself

Rangers would be blazing right now if Jose Cifuentes, Sam Lammers, and Cyriel Dessers had all been able to recover from their early setbacks the way Sima has.

But since he is usually the only one who wasn’t a permanent signing, it will cost more money to encourage him to stay in Glasgow longer.

However, with Dessers and Lammers underperforming and Danilo now ruled out, the emphasis has been mostly on a new striker.

Lawrence Shankland is usually considered the best prospect, but this does take away from Philippe Clement’s main goal threat at the moment.

Given that he plays on the wing, his 13 goals in all competitions thus far is all the more remarkable. He has scored in each of the last three SPFL games.

Sima still has half of the season on loan already signed, so Clement might be looking to add another scorer, but if he continues to play at this level it will be more difficult to hold onto him come summertime.

Malik Tillman’s exit back to Bayern Munich after a fruitful loan season saw a lot of attacking production leave and this Rangers side without Sima in it would be looking very light should the same thing happen so it would certainly be understandable if he was the priority.

Fans would surely love to see Shankland or an alternative arrive at Ibrox next month on top but the club have a decision to make if there is only enough cash available right now for one or the other.

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