Tam McManus was not impressed with Clinton Nsiala’s performance during Rangers’ 2-2 draw with St Mirren on Saturday. Despite Rangers taking the lead twice in the game, St Mirren equalized on both occasions, leaving the match in Paisley with a share of the spoils. Cyriel Dessers and Nicolas Raskin were the goalscorers for Rangers, but McManus felt that Nsiala’s defensive errors played a pivotal role in the dropped points.
McManus singled out the 21-year-old French defender for his poor contributions to both goals. He believed that Nsiala should have dealt better with the long throw-in that led to the first goal, failing to win the header, which ultimately allowed the ball to bounce and end up in the net. For the second goal, McManus criticized Nsiala’s attempt to play the offside trap, which backfired as he ran out and allowed the St Mirren player to get in behind him. McManus called the defending “terrible,” emphasizing that these mistakes cost Rangers the chance to secure all three points.
While McManus’ critique highlighted Nsiala’s defensive shortcomings, it’s clear that the 21-year-old has room to improve. However, it’s important to consider the broader context of Rangers’ difficult season. The team has been marred by managerial uncertainty and lack of cohesion, which has left players like Nsiala exposed. Despite his struggles, Nsiala, who is in his debut season at Rangers after joining from Nantes, has been thrust into high-pressure situations without consistent guidance.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Looking ahead, McManus believes that under a stable manager like Daniel Farke next season, Nsiala’s potential could be better harnessed. His athleticism and ball-playing ability show promise, but improvements in areas like aerial duels and defensive positioning are essential. With proper coaching and time to develop, Nsiala could evolve into a reliable center-back for Rangers, but he will need to address these fundamental errors to succeed at Ibrox.
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