The phrase ‘falling upwards’ comes to mind when discussing the idea of one of the current Rangers roster swapping Ibrox potentially for Champions League football.
And, no, we are not talking about those reports claiming Chelsea are keen on raiding Rangers for left-back Jefte.
While the Brazilian has endured a decidedly mixed debut season in Scottish football – a host of defensive errors arriving in the aftermath of those Stamford Bridge links – positives have been even fewer and further between for fellow summer recruit Robin Propper.
Propper has not started a Rangers game since his ‘horrendous’ role in Motherwell’s shock win at Ibrox over a month ago. Former Ibrox captain Craig Moore summed it up pretty well when said the £1.5 million acquisition from FC Twente is simply ‘easy’ to play against from a striking perspective.
Sturdy enough against foreign opposition in Europe, but lacking the physicality to truly thrive on the Scottish scene in Rangers blue.
Feyenoord urged to consider Rangers defender Robin Propper
Yet, Propper’s reputation back home in the Netherlands remains secure enough that, with Feyenoord likely to be in the market for a central defender to replace a much-admired David Hancko, the one-time Heracles and De Graafschap man is featuring pretty prominently in conversations.
“Maybe a very crazy suggestion but I would approach Robin Propper to bring him back from Scotland,” muses reporter Mounir Boualin. “He is [31 years] old, has experience. I like that. He can be important in the dressing room and I think he is not too expensive.”
It is difficult to imagine Rangers standing too firmly in Propper’s way, especially if offered the chance to recoup that £1.5 million investment.
Less is usually demanded physically from defenders in the Netherlands than in Scotland. Propper was such an influential presence at Twente too, captaining the Enschede outfit into the Europa League last season.
Now trailing back in sixth, Twente have conceded more goals in 27 games without Propper than they did in 34 with him across the 2023/24 campaign.
Chelsea eye David Hancko in move which could have repurcussions at Ibrox
Feyenoord, champions under Arne Slot in 2023, will face an uphill battle trying to replace the excellent David Hancko with a summer departure seemingly inevitable.
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs linked with the £35 million-rated Hancko. The Slovakia international’s agent also confirmed interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Slot’s current employers Liverpool back in 2024.
“I also think [replacing Hancko with Propper] is a very good choice,” agrees pundit Mart ten Have. “I think Propper can handle the level.
If Feyenoord gets a signing next to (centre-back Thomas) Beelen and you get Propper, then you are doing pretty well.”
Propper watched on from the bench as Rangers came from 2-0 down yet again under Barry Ferguson last time out, Cyriel Dessers scoring the decisive goal in seven at Dens Park.
And while neither John Souttar, Dujon Sterling nor Leon Balogun covered themselves in much glory versus Tony Docherty’s Dundee outfit, it would be a major surprise if Ferguson turned to Propper when Hibernian arrive at Ibrox on Saturday.
“I think [Souttar and Balogun] has to be the central pairing,” former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said after watching Propper and Clinton Nsiala toil against Kilmarnock in February.
“Robin Propper is miles off it and has been for a period of time.”
