One of the main criticisms surrounding Mick Beale’s short-lived spell as Rangers’ head coach focused on his recruitment.
So when given the chance to clap back at his critics during an interview with Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hibernian at Ibrox, Philippe Clement’s predecessor did not miss the opportunity to remind us that not all of his signings failed to live up to expectations.
Jack Butland, for instance, has been comfortably the best goalkeeper in Scotland this season. Finding a replacement for the legendary Allan McGregor was always likely to be difficult but – as Butland is showing with every week and every virtuoso display – certainly not impossible.
Mick Beale defenders his Rangers signings
Beale feels the stellar performances of the England international make Butland a clear contender for the division’s Player of the Year award. If it wasn’t for the injuries that have kept him out of action for the last few months, Abdallah Sima would maybe in contention too, the Brighton loanee another addition Beale can look back on with pride even if Sima’s best form came after his departure in early October.
“The player of the season in Scotland – apart from Jack Butland – is probably Abdallah Sima, who has been missing (with injury),” Beale argues.
“So, if he can come back and provide some goals and power in the final third, then I would expect Rangers to go on and win the league. But it depends on the Old Firm and there’s a big one coming in a week’s time.”
Sima has 15 goals in 33 games in Rangers colours. Ironically enough, the man The Gers brought in to take his place in January – Lens loanee Oscar Cortes – is also now stuck on the treatment table.
Clement, however, confirmed on Friday that Sima’s return is now imminent, with a place in the squad for this afternoon’s clash with Hibs not out of the question.
Brighton loanee set for Rangers return
“(Sima’s return) is important,” Clement says. “But he’s been a long time out, so you can’t expect miracles from the start. He has shown his quality, his power, his pace. He has the appetite for goals, and he came back in a good way in training.
“It’s about building rhythm again and making him stronger. Then he’s going to play an important part in the next two months.”
Rangers, currently second but with a game in hand, can move back above Old Firm rivals Celtic into top spot with a victory over Nick Montgomery’s side. Celtic, meanwhile, travel to Livingston in Sunday’s early kick-off.
