Kris Boyd sunk his teeth into Rangers’ questionable recruitment record as defeat at Aberdeen left Philippe Clement’s side nine points adrift in the Scottish Premiership title race.
The club’s recent signings, the former striker said, had been ‘miles off it’.
And as Rangers flopped at Pittodrie – out-muscled, out-thought and out-fought by Jimmy Thelin’s remarkable Dons side – the weaknesses in Philippe Clement’s squad stood out like a sore thumb under a hammer.
Of their many summer signings, only three started at Aberdeen.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo came in for Jefte in a decision which left many bemused. Hamza Igamane was restricted to a cameo role, while neither Robin Propper or Mohamed Diomande even emerged from the bench.
That, Chris Sutton argues, is in itself a pretty damning indictment.
Sticking the boot into Clement while he sprawls on the Pittodrie sidelines, Sutton is just the latest in a long line of pundits to cast doubt on the £1.5 million deal which brought former FC Twente and Heracles stopper Propper to Ibrox.
- READ MORE: Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present
Chris Sutton slams Rangers duo Robin Propper and Mohamed Diomande
Clement lauded Robin Propper as a genuine bargain buy when he arrived in August.
But after the 31-year-old was bullied into submission against St Mirren last time out – Rangers legend Barry Ferguson feels Neraysho Kasanwirjo would be a better bet at centre-half – even the manager’s critics would have to accept that leaving Propper out at Aberdeen was one decision a much-maligned Clement got right.
As for signing the Dutchman in the first place, well that is a different argument.
“He signs Robin Propper to add leadership and experience, but he doesn’t look able to cope with the Scottish game,” Sutton argues, speaking to the Daily Record. “It still looks like Leon Balogun is the best centre back at the club and he must be pushing 50!”
Not quite. Balogun, turning 36 in June, still has a few years remaining until he celebrates his half-century.
But Sutton’s point still stands, Balogun brought in seemingly as an experienced back-up and now enjoying an unexpected Jonny Evans at Man United-style renaissance as those around him struggle for form and fitness.
Sutton argues that Diomande, signed for a hefty £4 million after an impressive loan spell from FC Nordsjaelland, is also providing more question than answers.
Falling behind Tom Lawrence in the number ten spot, Diomande has now lost his spot in a deeper role as Clement lauds Nicolas Raskin’s growing partnership with Connor Barron.
Former Celtic favourite Sutton recalls better days for Rangers
“Mohamed Diomande should be dominating games. Yet, I still don’t know what he brings,” adds the Celtic legend, feeling that Diomande and Propper are ‘nowhere near’ to matching the influence of John Lundstram and Connor Goldson.
“I know they are trying to slash the wage bill but it looks crazy getting shot of experience like John Lundstram and Connor Goldson for pennies and then spending money on replacements that are nowhere near up to the same standard!
“When I first came to Scotland [in 2000], as a Celtic player, I didn’t like Rangers. But I sure as hell respected them. They were a strong team, with quality players.
“In the past they had stars like Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne, going back to Terry Butcher, Trevor Stephen, Ally McCoist…
“Fans from that era must look at this current shambles and struggle to even recognise their club. I certainly don’t. They way they are going on and off the pitch, they are in danger of becoming an irrelevance.
“There are huge questions right now about Rangers from top to bottom but the one about the manager has an easy answer – even if those in charge don’t want to see it.”
