Things feel slightly better for Rangers after overcoming a very strong St Mirren side via a margin of 0-3, albeit helped massively by a ridiculous (correctly issued) red card for Strain which basically changed the course of the match.
We’re not going to bother with ratings for this one, instead we wanted to look at one surprise positive – Abdallah Sima.
Scoring his 8th of the season, the Senegalese forward really has hit a rich spot of form, and while his display v Aberdeen didn’t shine so much, there’s no denying the surprise factor of the former Praha attacker and his contribution this campaign.
It basically all started with ‘that’ goal v PSV. That absolutely stonking goal from an angle into the postage stamp which, despite his rather poor performance till then, seemed to show what he was actually capable of.
Ibrox Noise warned against this guy, based on his rather underwhelming CV – which was definitely the case at that time. And up until maybe the past week, we have had concerns at best about him.
But you cannot argue with a striker scoring goals.
From kind of nowhere, Abdallah Sima has actually become Rangers’ best player currently based on form, contribution and ‘expectation’ factor. He’s scoring all over the place, he’s running at opponents, and he keeps causing issues.
Yes, his composure is lacking, yes he often runs down a blind alley, and yes, he can be very much Bambi on Ice.
But he’s got the X Factor. He’s got the ability to turn it on and do big things in matches, and in big matches at that, and that is a cut above everyone else Michael Beale signed this summer, bar Jack Butland.
He is kind of reminding us of Ryan Kent. Took him four months to click with the team, but once he did there was no stopping him.
Like the former Rangers man, Sima is starting to show his value, and while he’s not Mr Polished by any means, he’s giving more than most in this team.
Crucially, he plays FOR the team, unlike his spiritual predecessor Fashion Sakala, who many compare him to – the Zambian played for himself and wasted so many great chances with wild shots and inability to square the ball.
Sima sees a lot more, does a lot more, and is far more of a good egg.
No, the Senegal man is surprising a lot of Rangers fans, including Ibrox Noise, and we’re delighted for him.
Pity he’s only on loan, eh?