Propper shares what Ferguson could have done after controversy v Kilmarnock
Rangers gave themselves a mountain to climb against Kilmarnock in midweek, but eventually secured their first win under Barry Ferguson.
Life after Philippe Clement threatened to go south very quickly (26 February), when Killie took an early two-goal lead and Ferguson acted by hooking young defender Clinton Nsiala before the 30-minute mark.
Rangers went on to win 4-2 and control the second half, with Ferguson’s Ibrox homecoming against Motherwell approaching quickly on Saturday (1 March).
Robin Propper reacts after what happened to Clinton Nsiala
Rangers were defensively woeful during the first half at Rugby Park, and Ferguson could have dragged anyone off.
It turned out to be Nsiala, who alongside Robin Propper was given the runaround by the Killie attack in the early stages.
Had the hosts been even more clinical, there were further chances to be taken before the Light Blues got a grip on the contest.
Propper faced the media before the hosting of Stuart Kettlewell’s Motherwell side, and stepped in to defend his central defensive partner.
“I think in the first 10-15 minutes, the gaffer could have changed anyone at Kilmarnock,” Propper conceded, as posted by the Gers on X (28 February).
“Clinton has been back working hard at training and he is such a good player.
“He will learn, we will all help him and he will help us.”
Nsiala could be rotated by Rangers for the weekend with Rafael Fernandes pushing for a start, though Propper can take credit for admitting his own performance was nowhere near the standard required during the first half on Wednesday.
Rangers take on Motherwell before Turkish trip
Rangers supporters may have rightly been critical of both Nsiala and Propper – not to mention some of their teammates – in midweek, but will fiercely get behind their own.
Should either start against Motherwell in a bid to avoid three successive Ibrox defeats, they will have the full backing of a home crowd baying with excitement to welcome Ferguson back to Govan in an official capacity.
Despite captaining the side hundreds of times in front of the avid home support, Ferguson will be approaching unknown territory on the touchline. The suit is very different to the armband.
| Date | Rangers – last six results | Result |
| 26 February | Kilmarnock (A) | W 4-2 |
| 22 February | St Mirren (H) | L 0-2 |
| 16 February | Hearts (A) | W 3-1 |
| 9 February | Queen’s Park (H) | L 0-1 |
| 2 February | Ross County (H) | W 4-0 |
| 30 January | Union Saint-Gilloise (H) | W 2-1 |
Motherwell were also midweek winners for the first time in seven games, losing their previous six. Kettlewell will hope for momentum but knows their backs are likely to be against the wall for long periods of the game.
After the weekend test comes both legs of a hotly anticipated last 16 tie with Fenerbahce in the Europa League, where Ferguson can undertake his early managerial litmus test against none other than Jose Mourinho.