Abdallah Sima is anxious to travel to Lisbon with the Rangers team this week, but he is still some weeks away from being fully fit, as Philippe Clement disclosed.
The Ibrox manager told the story during a special live show with Rangers icon Graeme Souness at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow on Sunday night to highlight the team spirit among the Light Blues. Prior to the weekend match against Motherwell, Clement disclosed that Sima, who is on loan from Brighton, will be making his training pitch debut after suffering a thigh injury while playing for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Clement informed Souness and the audience prior to Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg match against Benfica, who were destroyed 5-0 by bitter rivals Porto on Sunday: “This morning Abdallah Sima came into my office.” He asked Gaffer if he might accompany the team to Lisbon even though he would still be out for a few weeks as he worked on his rehabilitation.
“The mood in the changing room right now is incredible. Four months ago, that was not the case. However, it is now. Everyone wants to be united and present at the event.
“The other boys in the changing room have also helped the new men adapt quite quickly. One is arriving with Jack that evening (Butland). Thus, we have a number of exceptional leaders who are carrying out excellent work for the club. Everyone in the building, including the chefs, groundskeepers and Academy staff, agrees that this might be an incredibly exciting season. And we’re going to put in a lot of effort to achieve that.
To the delight of the crowd, custodian Butland made an appearance as a special guest that evening. He performed his new terrace chant to the tune of Status Quo’s Rocking All Over the World. Clement made a joke when he said, “Jack knows if he doesn’t do as he is supposed to do then I will just put Dujon in goals!” referring to Dujon Sterling’s versatility.
