From sickbed to super-sub: How Rangers loanee's crucial introduction sparked late St Mirren rescue act vs Hibs

Craig McLeish has praised Paul Nsio’s rising impact at St Mirren after the on-loan Rangers midfielder came off the bench to help secure a 1-1 draw against Hibs in Paisley.

The 20-year-old Londoner has been a standout performer since his summer move from Ibrox, once again showcasing the drive and attacking spark he injects into McLeish’s side.

After missing last weekend's 2-1 home win over Dundee due to illness, Nsio was introduced midway through the second half and quickly made his mark, forcing the decisive 83rd-minute equaliser to cancel out Marko Ivezic’s messy opener and keep Saints' strong run of form alive.

McLeish was thrilled with his contribution, admitting Nsio’s bright cameo appearance may have strengthened his case for a more prominent role moving forward.

“Paul did really well,” he said. “He’d obviously been unwell last week, come back in tonight and gave a little bit of a spark and a bit of energy when he came on. It gives us something to think about for Saturday now too.”

Does Paul Nsio have a long-term future at Rangers?

Nsio’s decision to join St Mirren on a season-long loan deal represents a make-or-break test for his career at Ibrox.

Having gained first-team experience in the Scottish Championship with Raith Rovers last season, where he won the club’s Young Player of the Year award, Nsio will hope that performing well at top-flight level with the Buddies gives him a genuine chance to force his way into Derek McInnes' plans upon his return next summer, whereas struggling to break into the starting line up could leave his long-term prospects at Rangers in a vulnerable position.

An athletic powerhouse in the middle of the park, Nsio looks to possess a number of key attributes that could see him become a future Ibrox success story. Confident at driving forward with the ball at his feet, running at opponents, and engaging in aggressive play without possession, he is also capable of slotting into multiple roles across the midfield.

From a development standpoint, Nsio must continue to work on improving his output in the final third, goalscoring numbers, and consistency in passing range. Having missed the previous game due to a virus, Nsio’s introduction against Hibs completely shifted the dynamic for St Mirren.

He directly forced the late leveller, and while it technically went down as a Jason Kerr own goal, Nsio's physical presence and sharp instincts in the box contributed to it.

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