Rangers forward Abdallah Sima is “unlikely” to make his comeback against Celtic next week, according to Doctor Rajpal Brar.

Speaking to Ibrox News, the physician and sports scientist said that, as the Senegalese international has not played for the club’s B side recently, it suggests he won’t even make the bench for the Old Firm derby:

“The key will be how he’s responding to first-team training but I would be surprised to see him not get bounce matches to build up fitness and rhythm considering how long he has been out.”

“It will take multiple games for him to tolerate 90 minutes. So I think he is unlikely not just to start but also to be available for that [Celtic] game.”

Sima has been sidelined for a number of months

The 22-year-old sustained a thigh injury whilst with Senegal’s squad at the African Cup of Nations. At the time, manager Phillipe Clement said that the player could be out for “two to three months”.

Sima’s estimated return date is between the end of March and the end of April, depending on how well the rehabilitation goes. If we go by Brar’s comments, it seems likely that the winger will spend a few more weeks on the sidelines.

The Rangers loanee has been very impressive since moving to Ibrox

The Senegalese star was an unknown quantity when he first arrived in Glasgow from Brighton at the start of the season. He had not impressed greatly in his two previous loan spells at Angers and Stoke City.

However, Sima hit the ground running following his move, scoring goals on a regular basis for the Light Blues. Before his injury, he had scored 15 times and provided 2 assists in all competitions.

Based on those numbers, it is not a surprise that Clement has expressed a desire to keep him on a permanent basis.