We must admit the (potential) signing of Robin Pröpper did have us at Ibrox Noise scratching our heads a bit again in that given he was right-sided, why did we need a third one?

Further research (the initial report was a speck hot off the press) reveals in fact he played the whole season for Twente as the left sided partner to Mees Hilgers, and is actually completely comfortable with either foot.

From football analyst John Walker:

“Stand Out Qualities:

• Forward Passing on Both Feet
• Great in the Air in Both Boxes (67% Aerial Duels Won)
• A Real Organiser & Huge Communicator
• Goal Threat from Range”

So, he’s ambidextrous, essentially. He’s not a leftie or righty, he’s both, and he’s operated for a long time on Twente’s left.

Which means he is NOT the replacement for outgone Connor Goldson, per se, he’s just another defensive body which much better balances a rotten back line.

There is surely no question Propper will play on the left side of Rangers’ rearguard, with either John Souttar or Leon Balogun partnering him – that is, assuming, personal terms are agreed – that’s the only obstacle still awaiting the defender.

Now, Propper is 30, so he’s not a youngster, but if you want wisdom and leadership at the back, a former Twente captain who’s still got at least four seasons left at the top of the game is a reasonable bet.

Rangers desperately, desperately lack leaders, and Propper really is one, being Twente’s captain – you’re not going to get leaders aged 24, generally-speaking.

He’s not a signing for the future, he’s a signing for now – he does slightly contradict Rangers manager Philippe Clement’s waffle about not signing short-term older players who ‘can win now’ – Propper is exactly that profile for sure.

Clement should probably stay quiet more than he does, quite frankly.

But this is a generally decent addition. He’s 6ft 2, fractionally shorter by half an inch than Goldson, but he’s still a big lad, and unless Rangers ship out Ben Davies, which will be hard to do, our defensive pool next season will be:

Leon Balogun, John Souttar, Robin Propper and Ben Davies, with Clinton Nsiala as one for the future.

Is it good enough to win 56?

We love Balogun, he’s epic, but he’s not getting any younger, while Souttar has found it tough to get sustained momentum even though he really is a great stopper.

Davies should never play for Rangers again in our view, and we’d like to think any new signing will nail it, so we’d hope Propper is ‘proper’ good.

So is it good enough for 56? Time will tell, but we will say Propper is a massive improvement on Goldson anyway.

Mind you, almost anyone would be.

We’ll see if this deal gets completed before UEFA’s August 1 deadline tomorrow otherwise Propper definitely won’t be playing in the UCL qualifier (almost certainly v Kyiv).