Robin Propper Rangers transfer 'doubts' revealed with Dutchman torn over Twente exit

The Dutchman has endured a tough introduction to his first move away from the Netherlands

Robin Propper only decided to sign for Rangers at the last minute after expressing late doubts about the move, according to Twente Enschede chief Arnold Bruggink.

The 30-year-old defender has had a difficult start to his new club after scoring an own goal 17 minutes into his debut against Motherwell and being part of a side that lost at home to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League at Hampden.

And he was criticised for his performance at the weekend in his first Old Firm showdown as Celtic romped to a comfortable 3-0 win at Parkhead. Rangers were able to trigger a clause that allowed them to snap up Propper for just £1.5 million because of an agreement that stated any club who met that fee before July 31 would see their offer accepted.

But Twente technical director Bruggink revealed the deal went right to the wire because of Propper. He recalled: "I was standing in the back garden on Sunday evening and Robin Propper's agent called me at a quarter to ten in the evening. I ended up speaking a lot with Robin after that.

"He had a lot of doubts at the beginning because he had finally got the opportunity to play in Europe with Twente and that was always his ambition. Only right in the end did he choose to go. It was a blow because I hoped he would never leave, but you have to anticipate that in football."