Breaking News:Robin Pröpper Rangers absence explained as Hearts leave Clement looking silly
Cameron Willis
Rangers fans had hoped to catch glimpse of new signing Robin Pröpper in the Scottish Premiership opener v Hearts.
That was before Belgian manager Philippe Clement had suggested the FC Twente captain may not be registered in time for the clash.
But with Pröpper included in the club’s Champions League squad, any question of squad registration being a factor was quickly dispelled.
Despite this, the Dutchman wasn’t in the squad for the trip to face Hearts and Philippe Clement was asked about the situation come full time.
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Clement explains Pröpper absence
Despite all the talk about a big rebuild at Rangers, only one new signing made his debut in the Premiership opener with Hearts.
Connor Barron impressed v the Jambos whist Vaclav Cerny – who’d come on in the second half – and Jefte – who was an unused sub – started on the bench.
John Souttar and Ben Davies were preferred to Robin Pröpper at Tynecastle and now Philippe Clement has explained the absence.
Claiming that Pröpper categorically could not play because he didn’t train with the team, the Rangers defence managed a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw in Edinburgh.
“Robin Pröpper was also with the squad today but if you don’t train with the team you cannot play a game,” Clement told the press after the game.
“That’s also experience to put in the squad so I’m sure in the next couple of weeks we’re going to improve.
“In that way it’s positive that they react in the right way in the second half doing the things we need to do and then you see that we play really good football again.”
When asked about Pröpper or any other new signings could play v Dynamo Kiev, Clement said: “It’s too early to ask this question now because I need to see how players come out of this game.
“How do they recover towards Tuesday? It’s a short time, that’s why Kiev also don’t play this weekend for example so we need to see to make the right decision for that game and then the game that comes after.”
Hearts play star one hour after signing
Rangers fans have heard this ‘it’ll take some time’ soundbite plenty of times before.
In fact, the Ibrox side appear to be one of the only clubs in the world whose players need ‘two years’ to settle into things.
An inability to sign players capable of coming in and delivering straight away has cost Rangers dearly over the last three years.
And we’ve got to say, Hearts made Philippe Clement’s comments about Pröpper failing to train look pretty foolish during the match.
That’s because the Jambos announced the signing of Malachi Boateng from Crystal Palace only an hour before kick-off.
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