Robin Pröpper isn’t even in the door yet at Rangers and already the Champions League gauntlet has been thrown down.
The Dutch defender, 30, played a key role in helping FC Twente navigate to the Champions League qualifiers but it’ll be Rangers and not the Tukkers who he represents in the tournament.
That’s if Rangers can get a deal done before today’s Champions League QR3 squad deadline.
But whilst Robin Pröpper could be in situ for this weekend’s Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts, it’s the threat of a rampant Dynamo Kiev which is set to test the defender’s abilities from the off at Ibrox.
Dynamo Kiev await Rangers
Rangers are set to face Dynamo Kiev in Champions League QR3.
The Ukrainian giants have just thumped Partizan Belgrade 9-3 on aggregate in an ominous warning regarded their ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
Whilst this tie was believed to be a positive one from a Rangers point of view, Dynamo’s dispatching of the despairing Crno-Beli proves the Kyiv outfit are no mugs.
Rangers will have to be at their very best to overcome Dynamo who looked a shoo-in for QR3 after hammering Partizan 6-3 in Poland last week.
And if the Ukrainian side’s dodgy defence was a saving grace eight days ago, Dynamo Kiev barely flinched as they completed the job in Serbia with a 3-0 rout.
Andriy Yarmolenko opened the scoring on 16 minutes before a penalty from Vadyslav Vanat made it 2-0 before half-time.
Vanat popped up again in injury team to complete the scoring and send a message about just how serious Dynamo Kiev are taking Champions League qualification this summer.
Interestingly, neither leg of the two-legged tie will be played at either side’s home stadium.
The first leg – which will be played at Poland’s Lublin Arena due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine – has been set for the evening of Tuesday 30/07 at 7pm BST.
Due to delays in the revamp of the Copland Stand, the return will take place at Hampden on Tuesday 13/08 at 7:45pm BST.
With up to £30m on the line for Champions League qualification this season, this is one almighty hurdle to clear at such an early stage of the season.
Can Robin Pröpper up Champions League hopes?
Rangers’ ailing defence has been fired a firm warning by Dynamo Kiev ahead of this Champions League clash.
The Ibrox side’s backline has come in for substantial criticism in pre-season with no fewer than four goals shipped in Germany last weekend.
Rangers failed to win a single game in pre-season with two draws and three defeats a damning indictment on the lack of preparation and uncertainty in the transfer market.
As things start to move in a more positive direction, Rangers are about to reinforce the centre-back position.
Robin Pröpper is a name well-known to several in the Rangers squad and the club’s fans will be expecting the FC Twente captain to come in and deliver at the heart of the defence.
Pressure is the name of the game at Ibrox and whilst Pröpper‘s Rangers stint will be judged in full when it comes to an end, we don’t have to tell you how important a good start is to currying favour with fans.
The Gers cannot be as poor at the back as Partizan and Pröpper is tasked with rejuvenating a flailing backline.
Rangers currently have Leon Balogun, John Souttar and Ben Davies as options at centre-back with Robin Pröpper set to replace Connor Goldson’s influential role at the club.
