On the face of things, Rangers responded appropriately to a defeat against Kilmarnock, winning twice and trading six goals to one against FCSB and St Mirren.

Little of the feel-good factor that bookended Thursday night’s 4-0 win in the Europa League remained as Philippe Clement’s men edged a 2-1 victory yesterday at Ibrox, however. Many questions for those watching on remain; Why are so many variations of this side better in Europe than when facing, seemingly, weaker opponents domestically? Will Clement’s style of play work long-term? Are so many narrow wins, this the fourth by a one-goal margin in nine outings, a signal of a growing team grinding out points or a trend that will soon catch up?

Sunday also brought to the fore another topic - Robin Propper. The 31-year-old struggled badly up against Toyosi Olusanya and was replaced after an hour. The week prior, although hobbling off due to a knock, Clement had also turned to substitute the Dutch defender with Leon Balogun at a similar juncture as Kyle Vassell won the physical battle. Neraysho Kasanwirjo, shifting from right-back to partner Balogun for the final period against St Mirren, played with a composure that spread throughout the defence and quietened Olusanya’s previously noisy impact.

Clement wasn’t drawn to criticise the experienced Propper post-match but did highlight the “stability” Kasanwirjo provided in relation to “the way that St Mirren were playing”.

That style was not new for the Belgian, well accustomed to the attritional, direct football Rangers come up against weekly in domestic competition. The first 10 minutes saw his side struggle to gain a foothold in a half full of second-balls and direct play. St Mirren’s best chances on the day outside of their goal were usually a consequence of Olusanya’s movement and strength. The forward flashed one strike wide of the post when running in behind Propper early on and cursed the offside flag that denied him when a shot did find the net just after the break. After Olusanya recovered a ball the Rangers No.4 was shielding out of play and stung the palms of Jack Butland from close range moments later, Clement had seen enough.

Propper endured a quiet first month or two in Ibrox following a move from FC Twente that was lamented within the Dutch club and by their support. Rangers were able to acquire the stopper for a cut-price fee, in the region of 1.5million, due to a contract clause that expired at the end of July. Propper, who is on a significantly lower wage than Connor Goldson, has spent his career as a dependable, late-blooming defender in the Eredivisie. Having captained Twente to a third-placed finish last season the centre-back’s leadership was also an attractive feature of the deal. 

Pace has never been Propper’s standout trait although stylistically, there was a belief that the defender provided Clement with a better fit for the football he wants to play. On the ball that looks like inviting pressure and creating space to play into. A feature lacking in Goldson’s playbook and one that is a necessity in order to create the areas required for quick, vertical attacks Clement favours.

Out of possession, in theory, Propper is more comfortable defending in a man-for-man set-up and attacking the space behind the midfield. However when turned, or as late targeted, a lack of mobility in some instances has left Rangers exposed. The nature of playing at the back in a team that dominates territory and defends in a man-for-man fashion is little room exists for errors. One roll of the body and a striker can be through on goal. Remember Goldson up against Theo Blair last season?

In recent weeks, opposition managers have targeted Propper’s athleticism, culminating in yesterday’s performance. Against St Johnstone prior to the international break, Andy Kirk instructed Benjamin Kimpioka to constantly run behind Propper as a dominant John Souttar performance swept up plenty of potentially dangerous moments. The Europa League defeat against Lyon days before saw Souttar and Propper constantly vulnerable to the French side’s pace in transition.

Read more:

Neraysho Kasanwirjo: Why centre-back could be best position and Arne Slot signed him

Cerny was 'waking up in the night' after misses - this subtle change is helping him

'He's the father of the team' - Kasanwirjo thankful for support from Ibrox mentor

Last weekend against Kilmarnock while Propper limped off the pitch to be replaced by Balogun, the Nigerian defender had been readied to enter the action soon after half-time. Vassell was winning the battle with Propper as the game wore on and, just before Balogun entered the fray, drew a foul and booking from after skipping by him in transition around the centre circle. Although the Ibrox side arrived into that match on the back of four domestic clean sheets, they’d still allowed 0.66xG against per/90.

While there remains a belief in Propper’s ability after the past fortnight, there is no question that externally, attention is growing regarding the physical battle opposition managers are looking to exert. At FC Twente a partnership with the younger, quicker Mees Helgers helped to balance out either man’s weaker spots. 

It leaves Clement with a decision to make at the heart of his defence when Rangers travel to play Aberdeen on Wednesday. A game which is potentially the most significant in seasons outside of an Old Firm encounter given Jimmy Thelin’s side remains perched joint top of the table.

Kasanwirjo’s calming impact on the defence in the final 30 minutes against St Mirren cannot be ignored. The 22-year-old was signed for his versatility and up until Sunday’s second-half had played in either full-back role. Given that Jefte’s emergence will be supported by the returning Ridvan Yilmaz and James Tavernier remains unlikely to lose his slot anytime soon, centre-back could provide the Dutch Under-21 international with his best route to consistent minutes. After all, he hasn’t come to Glasgow to play a bit-part role at such a crucial career juncture.


The nature of Rangers’ ever-changing summer from a squad-building perspective meant that there would always be an element of adaptation throughout and after the window. Dujon Sterling hasn’t played at right-back since starting there in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United with speculation surrounding Tavernier’s future rife. Sterling, who recently signed a new deal, is believed to have overcome an issue that stunted a start to the season already disrupted by injury and looked his usual, energetic self from the bench on Sunday. The 24-year-old’s minutes are likely to come in the midfield over the course of the next few weeks, while Rangers remain hopeful that Souttar should be fit for the trip to Pittodrie. 

If so, the Scotland defender will start. The question is who plays next to him? Kasanwirjo would be required to play in another new spot on the left side of a back two but has presented unhurried by whatever task handed to date. There remains a feeling, with and without the ball, that Clement’s football requires several profiles who can dominate their zones to make his direct style click. In attack, a natural, pacey winger remains sorely missed and off the ball, Rangers appear far stronger when the likes of Kasanwirjo, Sterling, Connor Barron and Nico Raskin are in the side. 

Clement may opt for continuity but his decision can only be guided by the short-term at present with the prospect of Aberdeen jumping nine points ahead before Halloween very real.