Under Clement, a former Rangers winger might become a star for the current squad.

The Glasgow Rangers’ form in 2024 has been very impressive. The Ibrox team has won every game they have played thus far, amassing 24 goals in nine games while giving up just four goals, and they are the incoming champions.

Of course, there is still plenty of opportunity for surprises in the race for the Premiership crown, but for now, Philip Clement’s team is leading.

Abdallah Sima, who was maybe one of the Gers’ better players in the early half of the season, has also been absent from the team, which has presented challenges for the Belgian boss.

Abdallah Sima’s injury woes

 

After losing players like Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, Michael Beale looked to add more attacking alternatives to his lineup, and the winger came on a season-long loan last summer.

The 22-year-old took some time to establish himself, scoring just twice in the season’s first nine games. However, he seized the opportunity to solidify his position on the left side when Rabbi Matondo was injured.

Sima went on to score 13 goals and dish out two assists between the end of September and the beginning of January, helping the Light Blues win the League Cup and advance from their Europa League group stage.

But catastrophe struck during his international duties at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations competition. Sima suffered a thigh injury, and Clement announced that the player will be sidelined “long term.” This was a huge setback for both the young player and the team as a whole.

Oscar Cortes, a winger for RC Lens, was brought in by the Gers on a loan agreement that runs through the end of the season, and he may soon show to be a suitable Sima substitute.

Oscar Cortes could replace Abdallah Sima

With five club matches under his belt, the young Colombian appears to have been a wise addition, especially based on his initial impressions.

On his Scottish Cup debut, he assisted against Ayr United, and he was a delight to see in the second half of the team’s most recent 3-1 victory over Ross County.

After replacing Matondo during halftime, the 20-year-old focused on getting his Ibrox side account opened in the second half.

During his 45-minute cameo, Cortes did, in fact, take five shots overall, miss two significant opportunities, make four crucial passes, and succeed on one of his three dribbling efforts.

He didn’t score or assist, but his eagerness to participate in most of their attacks indicated he might be important in the race for the championship.

In the upcoming months, the Gers will need all of its seasoned players to step up and support the younger players, especially because the team is currently in a legitimate title race.

What if Clement was able to substitute a former Rangers magician for Cortes on the left wing? Peter Lovenkrands was one who spent six years in Glasgow and won two league titles.

How much Rangers paid for Peter Lovenkrands

After the Light Blues enjoyed yet another successful season in 1999–2000, Dick Advocaat looked to bolster his already formidable team in an attempt to capture a third consecutive league title.

Kenny Miller, Bert Konterman, and Fernando Ricksen were among the newcomers, but over the following few years, it was a little-known Danish attacker who would win over the Ibrox supporters.

Advocaat paid under £1.3 million for Lovenkrands from Danish team Akademisk Boldklub, which was an incredible deal for a young player with room to grow, especially given the amount of players the club had splashed the cash on since the Dutchman took over in 1998.

The Danish winger would go on to more than recoup this investment, as his performances and goals helped the team win numerous major titles.

Peter Lovenkrands would thrive under Philippe Clement

The former Rangers winger was a fantastic player in the penalty box, where he could score from a variety of positions. He also frequently used his lightning speed to blow past rival players.

In his first season in Glasgow, he did not score, but in the 2001–02 season, he became a sensation.

Despite his six goals and six assists, none of them were as significant as the one he scored in extra time to give the Light Blues a 3-2 victory over Celtic in the 2002 Scottish Cup final.