Rangers Look to Replicate Loan Success as They Target Brighton’s Carl Rushworth
Glasgow Rangers have effectively utilised the loan market in recent years and are now exploring options to replace their most recent success story—Vaclav Cerny.
The Czech winger made a strong impression during his 2024/25 loan spell at Ibrox, shining on the right wing under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson. Cerny, 27, delivered 12 goals and four assists in the Premiership, becoming a regular threat in the final third. His impact followed a long tradition of effective loan signings by the Light Blues, dating back to Ryan Kent’s initial arrival under Steven Gerrard.
One of the club’s most recent loan triumphs was Abdallah Sima, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023. The versatile forward made an immediate impact despite not having a purchase option included in the deal.
Sima’s Standout Season at Ibrox
In just one season, Sima scored 16 goals and added two assists in 39 appearances, featuring heavily in Rangers’ League Cup-winning run, including goals in key knockout rounds. Despite injury setbacks, he impressed in the league as well, bagging 11 goals in 17 Premiership starts. The Senegal international quickly adapted to Scottish football and proved reliable for both Michael Beale and Philippe Clement.
With no transfer fee involved, Sima’s time at Ibrox is widely viewed as a major success—a blueprint Rangers are now hoping to replicate.
Rushworth Lined Up as the Next Brighton Loan Gem
According to Football Insider, Rangers are now eyeing another young Brighton talent: goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. The club is reportedly accelerating efforts to secure the 23-year-old on a season-long loan, with the hope he could rival or even replace Jack Butland as first-choice keeper.
Rangers are working to finalize the deal this week, though it’s unclear if it can be completed before the July 17 Champions League squad deadline for the first-leg tie against Panathinaikos.
Rushworth is said to be eager for regular first-team football again, and Rangers view him as a strong contender to bring improved shot-stopping and distribution to the team.
Why Rushworth Could Be Rangers’ Next Sima
Just like Sima, Rushworth could arrive as a loan signing from Brighton and become a key figure immediately. Last season, Butland underperformed, conceding 2.22 more goals than expected (xG) in the Premiership, raising doubts about his consistency.
While Rushworth only made two appearances during a loan spell at Hull City, his form in the 2023/24 campaign at Swansea City demonstrated his high ceiling. Starting all 46 Championship matches, he prevented 4.02 goals based on xG, outperforming his expected metrics significantly.
Even more impressive was Rushworth’s style of play. He’s a modern, left-footed goalkeeper, calm in possession, confident playing out from the back, and well-suited to Russell Martin’s possession-based system. Former manager Matt Taylor described him as “fearless”—a quality that could serve Rangers well both domestically and in Europe.
With the right support and a platform to perform, Rushworth has the potential to become a first-choice goalkeeper at Ibrox—just as Sima became a go-to forward in a short space of time.
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