Neraysho Kasanwirjo has impressed Rangers fans in the early part of his Ibrox career.
The Dutch U21 right-back is a versatile defender who can play across the backline and who might even be giving Robin Propper a run for his money in the weeks and months ahead.
But whilst Neraysho Kasanwirjo eventually moved into the centre of defence in the 2-1 win over St Mirren, the 22-year-old defender did start the game at right-back.
Deposing Rangers captain James Tavernier, you might think the Ibrox skipper had a thing or two to say about it.
Speaking after the game, Kasanwirjo has revealed exactly what ‘father figure’ Tavernier said to him about the start and it might surprise one or two Rangers supporters.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo reveals James Tavernier chat
“(James Tavernier) came (to me) before (kick-off),” said Neraysho Kasanwirjo come full-time.
“Before the game to me, he said ‘just enjoy the game.’ he quality you can play. He said to me don’t look at it like I replaced James Tavernier, just play for the team. And he said ‘just enjoy.’
“Yeah, I think [it helped] a lot. Everybody speak with me, speak with other guys. He’s the father of the team. So it’s good for the young boys to have somebody like this.
“Yeah, of course [I enjoy my role]. I think I played before this. Played a lot of games already, but now just competing with everybody on the team to make minutes and make the good impression.
“Yeah, I want to start every week, but it is up to the coach and up to me how I train to give the best impression of myself what I said before. And look day by day, how it is was going.”
Philippe Clement explains dropping Rangers captain
The decision to drop James Tavernier against St Mirren obviously turned heads amongst Rangers fans ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox.
Speaking after the game, Philippe Clement was asked about the decision with Rangers looking much more assured after the Gers captain came off the bench around the hour mark.
The Rangers manager explained that both James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers had been rested amid a hectic schedule at Ibrox.
The situation with the 32-year-old Gers captain is in contrast to that of John Souttar and Tom Lawrence, who missed the game due to injury issues.
“(James Tavernier was rested) because we play every three days,” Clement told reporters after the march.
“There’s not one team in the world that have our schedule and play with one player all the games.
“It can be maybe a centre-back or a goalkeeper, but the rest of the pitch, it’s impossible with the schedule you have now this season.
“And you can have maybe teams that did until now or next month, but these players will have problems in one or two months, so we need to take care of that also.”
