When Rangers agreed a fee with FC Twente for Sam Lammers last week, it was presumed that this closed the door on the two club’s relations in the transfer market.
But, as July turns to August, the Scottish Premiership giants and the Eredivisie outfit continue to find their fates strangely intertwined.
Over the weekend, Rangers sealed the signing of Vaclav Cerny.
OK, the jet-heeled winger did not arrive directly at Ibrox from Enschede – rather joining on loan from Wolfsburg – but Cerny was Twente’s star man as recently as 2023.
Former head coach Ron Jans could hardly have been more complimentary about Rangers’ latest summer signing either, recalling the ‘sensational’ partnership he once struck up with a certain Brazilian striker by the name of Danilo at De Grolsch Veste, via The Herald.
And now there is the Robin Propper situation.
Rangers set to sign FC Twente skipper Robin Propper
Twente’s influential captain appears to be on the verge of a very unexpected and very unwelcome departure less than two weeks before their 2024/25 Eredivisie campaign kicks off away to NEC Nijmegen.
Lammers, scorer of 10 goals in 18 games during a stellar loan spell at Utrecht in the second half of last term, should improve Twente substantially at one end of the pitch.
But it would be interesting to find out if head coach Joseph Oosting would have overlooked Lammers in favour of keeping Propper in Enschede, if given a straight choice between his new centre-forward and his uber-reliable, soon-to-be-departing centre-half.
Reporter Leon ten Voorde – who specialises in all things Twente – believes that Propper could be officially confirmed as Rangers’ ninth signing of a hectic summer at some point over the next 24 hours or so.
“If Propper passes the medical in Glasgow on Wednesday, the 30-year-old will in all probability be presented on Thursday,” Ten Voorde tells Tubantia.
“Last week, Propper was absent from the annual (team) photo session. But there was no talk of a transfer then. Propper was ill.
“Only, in the last few days, everything has accelerated.”
Connor Goldson replacement imminent at Ibrox
Propper’s exit could hardly have been worse timed. Twente have a make-or-break Champions League qualifier against Red Bull Salzburg looming on the horizon, after all.
“You could call that surprising turn of events bad timing for Joseph Oosting and his team,” adds Ten Voorde.
“The trainer has been sculpting (a squad) for more than six weeks and then – six days before the first big game (against Salzburg) – a huge hole appears in the foundation of the team.
“That is not nice.”
Propper will reunite with Cyriel Dessers at Ibrox, having played alongside the ex-Eredivisie hitman for Heracles.
At the age of 30, the brother of former Brighton playmaker Davy Propper is more one for the present rather than the typical Clement signing; young, developing players capable of spending half a decade or more in Rangers blue.
Manager Philippe Clement, however, has spoken openly about the desire for more experience. And a natural-born leader like Propper certainly fits the bill.
At 6ft 3ins, he is a towering presence in both penalty areas too, and a pretty excellent source of goals from central defence.
Propper has scored 11 times in three Eredivisie seasons at Twente. A replacement for Connor Goldson following the Englishman’s sudden move to Aris Limassol, Propper also brings a fine passing range and the sort of pinpoint diagonal the ex-Ibrox stalwart made his trademark.
