Clement drops Abdallah Sima hint as Gers target Champions League transfer crescendo

As Rangers prepare to kick off their Champions League qualification campaign, many reckon there’s an Abdallah Sima sized hole in the Ibrox squad.

 

For plenty the Gers’ summer transfer business has not moved quick enough but it’s the absence of the Senegalese forward which has most damaged the club’s XI this season.

Having spent last season on loan in Glasgow, netting 16 times in the process, many feel a return to Rangers is inevitable for the Brighton forward.

 

But in a horrible irony, could Rangers’ bid for Abdallah Sima depend on the club reaching the Champions League land of milk and honey?

Clement: Champions League crucial to transfer budget

We don’t have to tell you just how big a boost qualification for the revamped Champions League would be to the Ibrox coffers.

 

With as much as £30m on the line for Champions League qualification – and Celtic automatically qualifying for the tournament – it’s a jackpot which this season in particular would be welcomed by the club’s hierarchy.

 

But with a huge amount of quality and four games standing between Rangers and the group stage, everyone knows reaching the tournament is a tall order.

In a horrible twist of fate, Rangers need the finances of Champions League football to improve the squad whilst simultaneously needing the squad to be improved to reach the Champions League.

 

Speaking ahead of the Champions League QR3 tie with Dynamo Kiev, Philippe Clement has been clear that how a tumultuous summer ends will firmly depend on what European competition we’re playing in next season.

“Yeah, of course, it’s a big world of difference,” said Clement when asked about whether qualification for the Champions League would impact his transfer budget.

 

“But you cannot count on that. It’s a long road to take.