There is always excitement when a player is signed from AC Milan and that was the case with Clinton Nsiala.
But Rangers fans had to quickly temper that when Philippe Clement insisted the young defender was one for the future and not someone who would initially be with the first team.
The Frenchman has worked away with the B team and impressed in his appearances for them but hasn’t been seen with Clement’s side until recent weeks.
Injuries have decimated the defensive ranks with centre halves John Souttar, Leon Balogun injured along with utility man Dujon Sterling, who had filled in centrally, and right-back James Tavernier.
It has led to Ridvan Yilmaz filling in at right-back but also to Nsiala getting his chance.
Handed a start against Dundee, the 20-year-old played the full game and was one of the bright spots despite the poor result.
And so he kept his place against St Johnstone, completing another 90 minutes.
Clement was full of praise for the young Gers star, insisting it’s a sign of how far he has come since signing.
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Nsiala reacts to Ibrox debut for Rangers
Having played away to Dundee, the St Johnstone game was Nsiala’s first game at Ibrox.
He was buzzing to get that opportunity and was pleased with how it went for him.
Nsiala also told how welcoming the rest of the players have been, helping him settle into his new surroundings.
“It was a great feeling to play at Ibrox and obviously start to the game,” said the Rangers centre-back.
“That is always an amazing feeling, especially when you win and you make your home debut.
“I think we put in a good performance, we scored early in the game and that helped us to have more confidence and then to create more chances.
“Then we got the second and then the third goal which was good. We built on it and it is always better to score first as it gives you more confidence. It makes you more free to play your own game as well.
“All of the boys and the coaching staff have been really great and they have helped me settle in.
“They have told me to keep it simple and do what I have been doing in training. That is why I am here.
“Playing in the B team helped me. It is always good to keep your tempo high.
“I played with the B team and I was training with the first-team as well, which was good as it kept me in contact with the group.”
What Philippe Clement said about Nsiala
“So I see also in that way a very positive two games in a row with Clinton Nsiala, coming out of nothing, out of youth football, doing these things,” Clement told Sky Sports.
”If I see where he was four months ago and where he is now he made really good steps forward and that’s what we need to do.“
It was further praise after the manager also talked him up after Dundee.
“We didn’t give away much today again,” Clement said. “I don’t remember one big save of Liam today. I think Clinton did a good game for his first game.
“But you lose the points because today, on the offensive part, we didn’t show enough to make the difference and to break open the game. So, now [Dundee] could defend with ten players behind the ball all the time with one striker deep and hoping for transitions.
“We had the ball, we took most of the transitions really well out, but we were not decisive enough in the final third.”
