ABDALLAH SIMA has broken his silence on missing out on a return to Rangers. The Senegalese wide man signed a season-long loan deal at Champions League entrants Brest this week. 4 Abdallah Sima loved his time at Rangers Credit: Willie Vass 4 The frontman struck up a bond with Philippe Clement - who regarded him like a son Credit: Willie Vass 4 He was a big fan favourite too Credit: Willie Vass 4 But the Senegal international struck a deal with Stade Brestois this week Gers had been aiming to bring the frontman back to Ibrox - with Philippe Clement open about his admiration for the player.
Sima signed on loan from Brighton last summer and was transformed under the Belgian boss when he replaced Michael Beale in October. An injury at the African Cup of Nations hampered the second half of his campaign in Scotland , but he still managed to rack up 39 games, 16 goals and play a part in a couple more. Clement admitted he was hoping to strike a deal with the Seagulls for a player he regarded as "one of my sons" but instead the winger is heading for France - with Champions League football listed among the benefits of his move by ex-Gers captain Davie Weir, now Brighton's development manager.
Read More Rangers stories 'IT'S MORE SCOTLAND' Philippe Clement hints at real reason Cantwell wants to quit Rangers BOOKIE BASHER Jim Delahunt on Gers-Ross County and St Mirren v Celtic plus his weekend acca Gers, of course, missed out on the lucrative league phase of the revamped competition by losing to Dynamo Kyiv last week . And they have also lost out on Sima a few days later. That result at Hampden could have played a role in the timing of the deal - and Sima's sign-off statement - delivered on Friday night.
Fans certainly spotted the cryptic timing - and some even called out club hierarchy for failing to bring the 23-year-old back. Most read in Football CAST AWAY Shutters down as Rangers kit makers suddenly CLOSE flagship Scottish store DOUBLE DEAL Kyogo & O'Riley latest amid interest as Celtic squad prepares for St Mirren tie FRENCH CONNECTION Celtic 'make offer for Lyon star' who came through PSG academy JOB HUNT Forgotten ex-Rangers flop leaves club just 11 DAYS after signing new contract One wrote: "Delaying this post till now shows he had high hopes of coming back, depressing." Another said: "The fact its took so long for this tells me he was holding out for a move back.
Another target gone." Slavia Prague ace Abdallah Sima has fun on the training pitch A third added: "Guy was 100% holding off for a move back to us. Brutal we couldn’t get it done.
" Sima's message came a full 90 days since his last appearance for the club, in the Scottish Cup final. He said: "The time has come for me to say goodbye to a club for which I have a lot of affection, for which i took immense pleasure in playing for this club. "It is very difficult to find the words but i would like to thank all the club staff, the staff, my teammates and especially you, the supporters, who have always been there for me and for the club.
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"Thank you also to Michael Beale for giving me the chance to play for this great club, and thank you to Philippe Clement for allowing me to realise my dream of winning a title with this magnificent club. "Come on Rangers !" His move to France is his second spell in the country - he spent another season on loan at Angers from Brighton - and has yet to play for the south coast club three years on from first signing from Slavia Prague for £7m. Last month Gers boss Clement admitted Sima was still in his sights and said: " “I’ve been in touch with him, of course.
He’s like one of my sons. “Abda loves the club. He loves our way of playing we had last season and his role in that.
He loved his team-mates and the staff. “But at the end of the day, Brighton is the owner so it’s all about the money then. At the moment it’s not possible.
“But we will see along the way if there comes a possibility because we would love to get him back.” The Senegalese star has a year left on his deal in England and Gers fans have sent messages hoping he'll make a late return after a year out. Read more on the Scottish Sun MORAY MANIA Cops called amid huge queues as fizzy drink re-launch causes chaos MURRAY MAKEOVER Andy Murray hit with fresh warning over renovations at luxury Cromlix hotel One wrote: "This is not goodbye, it's see you next season.
" Another added: "Rule number one - never fall in love with a loan player." Keep up to date with ALL t h e latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page.
