Abdallah Sima reacts to full on Rangers transfer, AFCON layoff and his baby Light Blues

Abdallah Sima might be getting a bit more shut-eye these days.

But the prospect of him upping sticks to head for the Africa Cup of Nations may just be enough to give Rangers boss Philippe Clement and their fans some sleepless nights. The new dad went through a goal drought earlier in the season, which coincided with the arrival of daughter Fanta and prompted Clement to give his striker some fatherly advice on the importance of getting a good night’s kip.

Sima took Clement’s word on board and now the goals are flowing again, with four in the last three games to lift his total to 13 for the season. In a campaign that has seen Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling arrive and fail to make a positive impact, Sima’s contribution since moving from Brighton has been the polar opposite. And he is desperate to add to his tally in Seville tonight as Rangers go into the final match of a rollercoaster ride of a Europa League group stage knowing only a win will guarantee them progress into the knockout stages.

That perilous state of affairs has been caused by only taking a point from group minnows Aris Limassol, while taking four off Sparta Prague and three from tonight’s opponents, Real Betis, at Ibrox. Sima scored the only goal that night, one of three so far in Europe and he is itching for another to help repay the help Clement has given him off and off the pitch.

Asked to explain how the new coach has helped him, Sima said: “I think the first time I heard his name and that he was going to be the coach of Rangers I asked some players about him. All of them said he was a good coach, that he would help me for sure and that he would play good football. I was excited to work with him.

“My first day, I remember.