Barry Ferguson believes Rangers manager Philippe Clement needs to remove Robin Propper from the Light Blues defence as a pivotal match against Aberdeen approaches. 

Propper, partnered by the experienced Leon Balogun, struggled throughout Rangers' recent 2-1 win over St Mirren, with John Souttar missing the game completely on medical advice. 

The Dutch centre-back was withdrawn on the hour-mark, and at that moment, Clement opted to switch Neraysho Kasanwirjo into his position from right-back. 

The 22-year-old, signed on-loan from Feyenoord, slotted seamlessly into the backline, and Ferguson wants him to continue there when Rangers make the trip up north to face Aberdeen on Wednesday. A fixture that immediately stands out, particularly since the Gers currently trail Jimmy Thelin's side in the Scottish Premiership table. 

"John Souttar is touch and go," the ex-Rangers skipped stated on the Go Radio Football Show.

"I don't know the injury situation but if Souttar is not fit Kasanwirjo has to go into centre-half. He has to play there. I have been impressed with him.

“I was impressed with him again at right-back and went into the centre-back position when Tavernier came on for Propper. So if John Souttar is not fit to play on Wednesday, they have to make a big decision in the centre-back area and I think it has to be Kasanwirjo and Balogun."

(Image: PA)

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On the huge clash in the Granite City, Ferguson went on to stress the importance of not allowing Aberdeen to extend their six point advantage over Rangers. 

"This one on Wednesday night is absolutely massive for Rangers," he explained. "My mind set going up there is there is absolute no chance I am letting it go to nine points or stay at six points.

"That is the attitude you have to have. All credit to Aberdeen, they've had a fantastic start to the season and digging out some really good results. It is going to be tough, there is no doubt. 

"But Rangers need to go and basically shut a few people up and go and show you've got the mentality, character and personality to go to a place like Pittodrie and make sure you come back down the road with three points."

Ferguson was asked how Rangers' newer recruits, who haven't experienced travelling up to Aberdeen on a cold October evening, will cope with the pressure of knowing they must not lose the game despite it being only nine games into the season. 

"They need to realise [what they are going into]," he added. "The fans demand it, that's demanded of you when you play at Rangers. See if, as a footballer, you go up to Pittodrie, 20 thousand, packed, they are right on you, but they are the places you want to go and play games of football, especially under the lights. 

"There's going to be pressure on Aberdeen, of course there's pressure on you as a Rangers player. That's what you get. We will see on Wednesday [if they have the stomach for the fight] because this is a massive test."