Rangers: Clinton Nsiala loan backfires as significant summer obstacle awaits

Rangers would have been hoping to see the end of Clinton Nsiala at Ibrox after he joined K.V.C. Westerlo on loan with an option to buy.

The Frenchman has had a tough time at Ibrox, making just 17 appearances since joining in July 2024. When Russell Martin was appointed the next summer, Nsiala was exiled from the squad.

During the summer in which the former Southampton manager arrived, the 22-year-old was told to explore his options away from Rangers.

In the end, he was unable to find a new club, and that difficulty could now face the Gers once more this summer.

While Danny Rohl did allow Nsiala to reintegrate into the squad upon his arrival, the French defender was clearly not in his plans as he was sent out on loan.

How Clinton Nsiala's loan has backfired for Rangers

Nsiala joined Westerlo on a loan deal that did include an option to buy, but it appears the Belgian side will not seek to activate that.

Now, Nsiala will be returning to Govan ahead of pre-season, and Rohl will more than likely look to ship him out elsewhere.

However, after already failing to secure an exit last summer, his poor spell in Belgium will surely have only harmed his chances now.

At Westerlo, he only made four appearances, and throughout that time, he was not injured either.

His place on the Westerlo bench was also sporadic, with multiple occasions of not even being included in the matchday squad.

Nsiala's career has certainly not panned out the way he would have hoped, and now he and Rangers face a crucial summer over his future.

His inability to break into the Westerlo squad will certainly play on the minds of any potential suitors.

With his contract at Ibrox set to expire in 2028, the Gers will want to get the wages of a player who has no future under Rohl off the books.

Why Nsiala cannot be picky over next destination

Nsiala's options will certainly be slim heading into next season, and while he failed to secure an exit last summer, he did have options on the table.

Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv had agreed terms over a loan deal for the French defender, but Nsiala rejected the move.

Instead, he then had to wait until the winter window to secure a move elsewhere, and that has now not worked out as hoped.

This time around, Nsiala has little luxury to reject any potential exit as he looks to revive his career.