Much has been made of Robin Propper’s performances in a Rangers shirt in recent weeks.
The central defender had to be subbed at half-time yet again at the weekend although Philippe Clement later revealed he had taken a knock.
But Propper had been far from convincing during the first 45 minutes against St Johnstone and Kevin Thomson, when assessing the game, reckons the Dutchman is struggling to adapt.
The player himself had already admitted as much and said he needs to get used to opposition teams playing long ball and also to Clement rotating the team a lot.
The 31-year-old has been viewed as a weak link in some games and was dropped for clashes with Aberdeen, Hearts and Motherwell and doesn’t seem to have fared any better after returning.
Robin Propper’s Rangers comments a worry
Michael Stewart and Alan Hutton admit Robin Propper’s displays for Rangers are a concern.
But more than that they would be worried about his recent comments too.
The Dutchman admits he is taking time to get used to Scottish football and the rough and tumble of it but insisted he will have established himself as a regular in the XI by the latter part of the season.
But Stewart reckons the quotes given to the Dutch press are a “red flag” and would be a signal to opposition players that he “doesn’t fancy it” and can be got at.
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, he said: “What about Propper again? Like the Killie game when he comes at half-time and you could almost tell he wasn’t fancying it. Yesterday again, off at half-time.
“And he’s been talking about how ‘I’ll be one of the one of the first names on the team sheet when the season starts getting deeper into it and most of the teams play long ball.”
Hutton interjected: “That’s a worry.”
And Stewart went on: “Would you not think that’s a red flag? Any other team looking at that going ‘he doesn’t fancy this domestically.’
“Get right up and up him and get him on the back foot.”
Hutton thinks that’s exactly what St Johnstone did in the opening period of the game where they looked threatening and Propper struggled.
The former Rangers right-back added: “I think that’s what they (St Johnstone) did. See the first 15 minutes? I think they targeted Propper.
“It was a worry what he was saying when he was talking about how teams play long ball and he’s going to take time to get used to it.
“No, you’re a central defender. Of course technically he’s decent on the ball but you have to go and be aggressive with whoever you’re up against it.
“The red flag for me is ‘does he fancy it?’ Kilmarnock, little injury and has to go off.
“And then I’m hearing at the start of the game they (St Johnstone) were targeting him, I was listening on the radio. And then he had a little injury and goes off at half-time. That’s worrying.”
Leon Balogun the better Rangers option
“I think so,” added Hutton when asked that question. “I think he’s the one that’s got pace. I think Souttar has come onto a game.
“He’s (Balogun) more physical as well and he’s got that turn of pace.
“The big question is at his age can he play every three days? Can he go away in Europe, travel and play again. Obviously the manager doesn’t feel that he can.
“Propper is meant to the guy coming in and taking over from Connor Goldson and he’s not doing that. There’s an opportunity there and I just don’t think Propper is grabbing it.”
