Advocaat’s £1.3m Rangers jewel would’ve eased Sima injury troubles.
Glasgow Rangers form in 2024 has been just fantastic. The Ibrox side have won every single game they have played so far – scoring 24 goals across nine meetings while conceding only four – and this is the form of champions-elect.
Of course, there is plenty of time for more twists and turns in the Premiership title race, but Philippe Clement’s side have all the momentum today.
The Belgian boss has also had to do without the services of Abdallah Sima, who was arguably one of the Gers’ better performances during the first half of the season.
Abdallah Sima’s injury woes
The winger arrived on a season-long loan deal last summer as Michael Beale sought to bolster his attacking options having lost the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
The 22-year-old took time to make his mark, scoring only twice in the opening nine matches of the season, but an injury to Rabbi Matondo offered him the chance to solidify his spot on the left side, and he took it.
Between the end of September and the start of January, Sima went on to score 13 goals and register two assists as the Light Blues secured passage from the Europa League group stages while winning the League Cup.
Disaster happened when he was on international duty in the recent Africa Cup of Nations competition, however. Sima was struck down with a thigh injury and Clement bemoaned that the player was likely to be out “long term” in what was a huge setback for the kid and the rest of the team.
The Gers went out and bought winger Oscar Cortes from RC Lens on a loan deal until the end of the season, and he could soon show to be an adequate substitute for Sima.
Oscar Cortes could replace Abdallah Sima
The young Colombian has now made five appearances for the club, and it appears like an excellent move by Clement, especially judging by his early observations.
He grabbed an assist on his Scottish Cup debut against Ayr United, while his effort during the second half of the recent 3-1 triumph over Ross County was a treat to witness.
The 20-year-old was hauled on for Matondo at the interval and spent the second half looking to open his account with the Ibrox side.
Indeed, Cortes took five shots in total, missed two major chances, played four vital passes, and succeeded with one of his three dribbling efforts throughout his 45-minute cameo.
Despite his efforts, he didn’t score or offer an assist, but his willingness to get involved with the majority of their assaults suggested he could be vital in the title race.
The Gers will need all their veteran players to take the lead and help the youngsters over the coming months, especially with the club now in a true title race.
Imagine then, if Clement could rely on a former Rangers magician instead of Cortes on the left wing? One who won two league titles during his six-year stay in Glasgow — Peter Lovenkrands.
How much Rangers spent for Peter Lovenkrands
Following another season of success for the Light Blues during 1999/00, Dick Advocaat sought to add some more quality to his already growing roster in order to clinch a third league crown in a row.
New recruits included the likes of Kenny Miller, Bert Konterman and Fernando Ricksen, but it was a little-known Danish attacker who would captivate the hearts of the Ibrox faithful over the next few years.
Lovenkrands cost Advocaat just £1.3m from Danish side Akademisk Boldklub and considering how much the club had splurged on players since the Dutchman took command in 1998, this was a superb deal for a young talent who would only grow.
The Danish winger would go on to repay this fee a few times over with his goals and performances helping the club win numerous of big titles.
Peter Lovenkrands would prosper under Philippe Clement
The former Rangers’ winger used to use his blistering pace to sprint past opposition defenders with ease, but he was also outstanding in the penalty box, being able to score from a range of positions.
He failed to score in his initial season in Glasgow but exploded onto the limelight during the 2001/02 campaign.
He registered six goals and six assists, however none was more vital than his added-time winner against Celtic in the 2002 Scottish Cup final to secure a 3-2 win for the Light Blues.
Over the next four seasons, Lovenkrands would score 42 goals for the Gers while winning five major championships, and he emerged as one of the top attacking talents in the country.
His ability to float between a place on the left side or as a centre-forward allowed him to demonstrate his skills throughout the frontline and his versatility was undoubtedly his strongest strength.
Clement would thus be able to play him over Cyriel Dessers, for example, or to replace Cortes out wide, while having a player who could score vital goals.
The Dane ended up playing in the Premier League for Newcastle United and his former Magpie icon Alan Shearer hailed the winger, saying:
“I know he made a big impression when he first came here, and I thought he started well against Chelsea before he had the injury.
“He can play in a few positions, and has scored a couple of important goals. If we need him, perhaps he can do the same again.”
It’s fair to say that Lovenkrands is still warmly remembered at Ibrox, especially for his goals against Celtic, and the Gers sorely need someone who can give them that edge against their Old Firm opponents, having lost their two previous encounters against them this campaign.
In an ideal scenario, the former Denmark international would link up with the likes of Todd Cantwell and Fabio Silva to produce a deadly attack.
Alas, supporters of a certain age can only dream of what harm Lovenkrands might do to Premiership defenders throughout the country this season if he was in his prime.
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