Rangers’ recruitment team has had its competence questioned in recent seasons with various managers and sporting directors not impressing.
It is something of a paradox because, theoretically, a bad Rangers squad wouldn’t make the top eight of the Europa League or be within touching distance of the quarter-finals.
Where Rangers have done well, is spotting players who would normally be outwith the budget parameters but who have been signed and made an immediate impression.
When large fees have been paid is when the problems have arisen and this is a primary area of concern that Patrick Stewart has to rectify.
On a tight budget, using the loan market is one area where value can be found, and has been found, but if Rangers could only sign one player out of Vaclav Cerny and Abdallah Sima, who should they go for?
Photo by Ahmad Mora - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Ahmad Mora – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Shouod Rangers sign Vaclav Cerny or Abdallah Sima?
In terms of raw numbers, Sima scored 16 goals and created two assists in his 39 games.
Cerny, after his stunning double against Fenerbahce, has 17 goals and seven assists in 42 games.
One nil to Cerny.
Sima is marginally more versatile in that he can play on either wing, as a No.9 or, as seen for Brest this season, in a pairing up front.
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Compared to Cerny who is a pure winger, although his performance in Turkey suggests that there might be a future for him as a No.10 in the right system.
One all.
The fee needed to sign either player would be around the £6-7m mark with Cerny’s agent suggestion that a permanent move could be possible.
The problem is, he has already been notified of interest from clubs in France and Italy with considerably bigger budgets than the Ibrox outfit.
It is a similar story for Sima who, after starring in the Champions League, will have caught the eye despite Clement hinting that a summer transfer was possible.
Still one all.
One noticeable difference between them in the past has been injuries, however, Sima has played over 30 games in two consecutive seasons for the first time since leaving Slavia Prague and signing for Brighton.
Which leaves one deciding factor.
What is the biggest difference between Cerny and Sima?
Using Data MB’s comparison model, it is easy to see how similar the two players are in terms of output.
Cerny is a better passer, the raw assist statistics show that, but he also has more key passes too.
What really gives Cerny the edge though is what Rangers would use to judge between two players who are similar in terms of statistics, the eye test.
And it is on this that there is only one winner.
Radar image featuring statistics for Abdallah Sima and Vaclav Cerny.
Statistical comparison of Vaclav Cerny and Abdallah Sima using Data MB’s radar production tool.
Sima is very one footed, Cerny can go either way and never seems out of control when carrying the ball.
In terms of building play, the Czechia international comes out on top compared to Sima who needs the ball played into space to run onto or to get onto the end of crosses.
If there could be only one signed, Cerny has the better all round game.
The dream though would be for the agreed San Francisco 49ers takeover to get completed early so that both of them could be signed.
We can but dream.