Rangers recruitment policy has been questioned at previous points throughout the season already as Philippe Clement rebuilds a team in desperate need of repair.
One are where the manager needed to attend to in the squad was the heart of the defence after the Ibrox departures of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies.
Clinton Nsiala was signed as one for the future, however, it was Robin Propper who was expected to be the no risk, wise old head that Rangers needed at the back – a role the Dutchman is now struggling to perform.
Robin Propper struggles with Rangers position under threat
Under normal circumstances, the 2-1 win over St Mirren was largely routine aside from the 31-year old former Twente captain, who was generously awarded a 3/10 on Rangers News player ratings.
Twice now, Clement has substituted Propper because of how he was playing, against Kilmarnock and against St Mirren.
After settling into a good partnership with John Souttar, his form has fallen off a cliff to the extent that Neraysho Kasanwirjo could be pushing his compatriot down the pecking order following his cameo in the middle.
Propper has struggled with the sheer physicality of some Scottish Premiership centre-forwards with his statistics not matching what is being seen by the naked eye of late.
Using Data MB’s statistical model, Propper is the best centre-half in the league and one of the best in terms of defending.
Some time out of the team could be on the cards if John Souttar’s body can do Rangers a favour and return to full health, or as close as possible.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 24 | 25 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 25 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 19 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 15 |
| 5 |  MotherwellMotherwell | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 13 |
| 6 |  ST JohnstoneST Johnstone | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 10 |
Were Propper Rangers move “doubts” a red flag?
Arnond Bruggink, Twente’s technical director, gave a fascinating insight into Propper’s transfer to Rangers, claiming that the stopper had “doubts” about the move:
“I sat with Robin a lot here, because Robin also had doubts in the beginning. (He said) ‘We finally have Europe, which is what I really want with FC Twente’.
“But, in the end, he chose to go.
“You always take it into account (that players could leave). But at that moment, on July 28, I didn’t really take it into account anymore, because you hope that it will die down somewhere.
“But in your head you always take into account that the players can leave, and you have to try to anticipate that.”
Rangers pulled the plug on Jose Cordoba because he didn’t appear to be fully committed to coming to Glasgow.
Judging by Propper’s recent performances, the Rangers No.4 was lucky to avoid a similar fate.
