Clinton Nsiala Struggles Again as Rangers Secure 4-2 Win Over Kilmarnock
Clinton Nsiala delivered another underwhelming performance for Rangers in their 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
The former AC Milan defender has been under scrutiny in recent weeks following back-to-back disastrous displays, with his costly mistakes against St Mirren ultimately leading to Philippe Clement’s dismissal.
Despite Nsiala’s struggles, newly appointed interim boss Barry Ferguson opted to keep faith in the young centre-back against Derek McInnes’ side. However, his night ended in disappointment once again, as he was substituted in the 31st minute with Rangers trailing 2-0.
Nsiala Left ‘Shattered’ After Early Substitution
Craig Swan believes that Ferguson’s decision to withdraw Nsiala so early in the match will have left the defender feeling “shattered.”
When Nsiala arrived at Ibrox in the summer, few expected him to play such a pivotal role in the squad. However, injuries to key defenders like John Souttar and Leon Balogun have forced the 21-year-old into a prominent role during a turbulent campaign for the club.
Writing in the Daily Record (28 February, page 51), Swan reflected on Nsiala’s struggles and the impact of his latest setback:
“Shattered Clinton has the support of Ibrox pals,” he wrote. “Nsiala endured a nightmare against St Mirren, with two costly errors gifting goals to Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya.
“That 2-0 defeat led to Philippe Clement’s departure. Handed another start under Barry Ferguson, things only got worse as he endured a torrid opening half-hour against Kilmarnock.
“Bullied by Marley Watkins and exposed by Bobby Wales as the home side raced into a 2-0 lead, Nsiala was hauled off with 15 minutes still to play in the first half.
“He paid the ultimate price for his struggles, suffering the embarrassment of an early withdrawal.”
Ferguson Must Rebuild Nsiala’s Confidence
The 2024/25 season has been one to forget for Rangers and their supporters, with little left to play for domestically despite a third of the campaign remaining.
Their Europa League campaign is still alive, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome Fenerbahce, let alone potential future opponents like Manchester United or Tottenham.
Nsiala has undeniable potential, but it appears premature for him to be a regular first-team fixture at this stage of his development. With Rangers’ defensive options stretched thin, he has been thrown in at the deep end. However, once Souttar and Balogun return, the young Frenchman will need time to refine his game.
For now, Ferguson must focus on rebuilding Nsiala’s confidence and ensuring he doesn’t dwell too much on his recent struggles, despite the setback of being substituted before halftime.
