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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Why any late Rangers transfer signings won't face Celtic

The tone has already been set with new Rangers player Robin Pröpper.

The Dutch defender arrived earlier this summer just in time for the Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts, but he didn't feature.

Philippe Clement left him out of the squad as he hadn't trained with his new teammates.

So, this is why any late signings made by Rangers are unlikely to feature against Celtic in the derby match this weekend.

“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 in question.

The Belgian then followed this up a few days later prior to the Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv, saying: "[It was a] tough decision to make not to start with Robin Propper but it is more because he is not fresh for the moment.

"People don't realise that, but if a player comes into the building these days when you come to the UK there is a lot of work to be done with papers. He even had to travel outside the country to come back to get his visa and things like that.

"So he is less fresh for the moment and we expect him to start the next couple of games. But today he was not fresh enough to start."


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So far on deadline day, Scott Wright has sealed his Ibrox exit by joining Birmingham City for around £300,000.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo from Feyenoord is set to be Rangers' first capture of the day, with the 22-year-old arriving on a season-long loan.

It remains to be seen if the versatile player will be the only incoming of the final day of the transfer window. 

However, if the manager's party line on Propper earlier this month is anything to go by, then Kasanwirjo will not play in the Old Firm.

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