Ferguson issues Robin Propper claim for St Mirren v Rangers
Derek Ferguson has issued a verdict on Rangers defender Robin Propper ahead of the St Mirren clash on Saturday.
The 31-year-old did not play their last game as he was suspended for the second leg against Athletic Bilbao.
He was shown a red card in the first leg at Ibrox that ended 0-0.
Ferguson does not see Propper starting against St Mirren
While there is nothing left to play for this season, Gers still have to play their remaining league games and finish as high as possible.
Celtic have all but sealed the title and it could be mathematically confirmed soon – adding to Rangers’ woes.
They next play St Mirren on Saturday, 26 April, at Paisley and they go into this one 15 points behind their rivals.
Ferguson told Open Goal at 56:31: “I don’t think Propper plays. We’ve got Souttar. Even Tav can play. Yilmaz is injured again.
Rangers cannot have Propper playing over 40 games next season
If Rangers aim to win the Scottish Premiership next season, they must reduce their reliance on Propper as a regular centre-back, limiting his role to a backup playing 10-15 games across all competitions rather than the 41 he featured in this season.
The Dutch centre-back, signed from FC Twente in 2024, has shown flashes of quality but has been inconsistent and error-prone, often exposed in high-stakes matches.
His lapses in positioning and occasional misjudgments have cost Rangers crucial points, undermining their title challenge against a relentless Celtic side.
| Stats in all competitions (2024-25) | Robin Propper |
| Games played | 41 |
| Yellow cards | 9 |
| Red cards | 1 |
To secure the league, Gers need centre-backs who offer defensive solidity, composure under pressure, and consistency – qualities Propper has struggled to deliver reliably.
Retaining him as a squad player for depth is sensible, given his experience and ability to cover in less demanding fixtures or cup competitions.
However, the Ibrox outfit must prioritise signing at least one, if not two, high-calibre centre-backs capable of forming a robust partnership.
Investing in younger, dynamic defenders with pace and ball-playing ability would align with the demands of both domestic and European football, ensuring Gers have the defensive foundation to reclaim the title.
The centre-back’s role, while valuable, should be peripheral, not pivotal.