‘Patience’ has been the defining message of Philippe Clement’s recent press conferences at Rangers.
Even before the 2024/25 campaign kicked off, the Ibrox boss warned supporters that they would have to bide their time before seeing Clinton Nsiala and Hamza Igamane in action for the first time.
Clement is keen to give the 19-year-old centre-back and the £1.7 million arrival from Morocco the time and space they need to adapt to life on Scottish soil.
And while there was an undertone of disappointment as Rangers announced their starting line-up for Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier with Dynamo Kiev – Connor Barron the only new starter – Clement remains steadfast in his plan.
Robin Propper, the bargain £1.5 million acquisition from FC Twente, must be patient – that word again – having only arrived less than a week ago.
The same goes for Vaclav Cerny and Jefte; influential off the bench as Cyriel Dessers rescued a draw in Poland but not quite ready to be thrust into the first XI.
Vaclav Cerny and Jefte impress off the bench for Rangers
It was Cerny who crossed for Dessers to slot in a dramatic 94th minute finish on the night.
There was some late drama in Austria too, though Michel Vlap’s own stoppage time effort was not enough to save Twente from defeat in their own third-round qualification clash away to Red Bull Salzburg.
Twente coach Joseph Oosting, meanwhile, is taking a similar stance to Clement with regards to his own new signings.
Former Rangers misfit Sam Lammers started on the bench in Salzburg. He was only introduced with around half-an-hour remaining.
But for all the talk of ‘patience’, Oosting’s appeared to run out when quizzed on his decision to leave Lammers out of his starting line-up. Especially after one curious reporter opted to question Lammers’ fitness.
“Well, I think you’re forgetting something here, aren’t you?,” was Oosting’s snappy response, via Ziggo Sport. “Ricky was the top scorer last year with sixteen goals, together with Sem Steijn!”
Ricky van Wolfswinkel is not only Twente’s first-choice number nine, he is also their captain. The well-travelled former Norwich City targetman inherited the armband after Propper’s sudden departure to Rangers.
Lammers will get plenty of game time. But with Van Wolfswinkel and the excellent Steijn two of the first names on Oosting’s team sheet, he will not simply stroll into the XI like he did when joining Utrecht in the winter.
Sam Lammers and Robin Propper exchange places
“We’ve brought in a striker who can also play,” adds Oosting, Lammers’ ability to drop deep meaning he could arguably play alongside a classic number nine in Van Wolfswinkel. “He also joined a bit later (in the pre-season preparations).
“(Lammers) will be fine. We’re starting with Ricky today.”
Twente, who finished ahead of Dutch giants Ajax in third last term, face NEC Nijmegen in this weekend’s Eredivisie opener before welcoming Red Bull Salzburg to Enschede for the return leg on Tuesday.
And, for the first time since 2021, Twente will not have Propper leading them out for a top-flight fixture.
“Anything can happen until September 1,” managing director Dominique Scholten tells the Twente website. “(That) is evident from the sudden departure of our captain Robin Propper to Rangers FC.
“Of course, that is a loss and the timing is extremely unfortunate. On the other hand, it also offers opportunities for other players. We thank Robin for his great commitment to FC Twente.”
