Nasser Djiga may have ended his hopes of a permanent move to Rangers following Monday’s damaging defeat to Hearts.
Despite a rocky second-half performance from the on-loan Wolves defender at Tynecastle Park, it was his actions following the final whistle that may ultimately define the perception of his stint in Scotland.
The loss to Derek McInnes’s league leaders all but extinguished Rangers’ title hopes, leaving them seven points adrift with just three games remaining.
Yet it was not solely the result that drew the ire of supporters.
Nasser Djiga post-match moment
Djiga was seen laughing and exchanging congratulations with Hearts striker Landry Kabore at full time.
This came after helping Gorgie forward Claudio Braga with his cramp.
A moment that jarred sharply with the mood among the travelling support.
The reaction was swift.
Kris Boyd slams Burkinabe defender
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd questioned both the optics and the underlying mentality.
“It was Nasser Djiga – I get it, you might have friends on the Hearts team but you’re standing there after the game talking when you know that’s the title over and you’re best mates with the opposition players,” he said.
“I’m sorry, as I said fans will be the ones hurting and then they’ll be angry and rightly so because they’ve seen their team blow up again.
“But I would question the players as well, does it really mean that much to them?
“I’m not so sure. I’m not so sure.”
Who was Djiga congratulating?
Context, however, offers some explanation, if not justification.
Kabore, a summer recruit under McInnes, shares more than just a pitch with Djiga.
The 24-year-old is an international teammate, part of the same emerging generation within Burkina Faso’s national setup.
With only a year between them, their pathways have overlapped from youth level through to senior call-ups this year.
Their presence in Scotland has also contributed to a growing Burkinabe interest in the league.
African journalist Moussa Ramde highlighted how both players are increasingly viewed as standard-bearers for their country abroad.
“The Scottish league is increasingly seen as a showcase for African players, offering significant visibility,” he explained.
“Especially with clubs like Rangers and Hearts regularly competing in European competitions.
“Scotland is now seen as an important stepping stone to higher leagues such as the English Premier League.
“The style and environment are similar to those in England, making it easier for African players to integrate.
“Nasser Djiga and Landry Kabore are already seen as ambassadors for Burkina Faso in this league.”
All of which provides reasoning, but not absolution.
In isolation, the exchange between two international teammates is understandable.
In context, it was poorly judged.
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These are the margins in which perceptions are formed and decisions are made, particularly at a club where emotional intelligence and situational awareness are as scrutinised as technical ability.
If Djiga’s future at Rangers was already uncertain, this episode has only sharpened that doubt.
If there was to be a moment for gestures of camaraderie, it was not here, not at Tynecastle, not in the immediate aftermath of a defeat that effectively surrendered a title race, and certainly not at a point in the season when both time and tolerance had already run out.
This current iteration of Rangers players have been called out numerous times for a lack of understanding of what the club means.
This is another example of evidence proving that point, despite the subtext.
It may have also ensured that Djiga will not be part of the team moving forward as Danny Rohl looks to adjust his squad into one that can get over the line next season.
