Nico Raskin and the big Rangers transfer dilemma as we debate the 'keep or sell' question

Daily Record

15-05-2025

The Belgian's stock is rising with some standout displays and Record Sport's Scott McDermott and Andy Newport have differing views on what the club should do with their prized asset.
He received a standing ovation when he left the Ibrox pitch on Sunday.
Another man-of-the-match performance - and maybe another couple of million on to his valuation after smashing home in the 3-1 against Dundee United on Wednesday night.
‌
Nico Raskin is fast-becoming Rangers' most prized asset and that could give the club a major decision to make this summer.
‌
With new American owners set to take control and launch a squad rebuild, the little Belgian midfielder could be a key part of their strategy moving forward.
Raskin has been Gers' best player in a disastrous campaign and has excelled recently under stand-in boss Barry Ferguson.
With two goals and nine assists from a deep-lying role, the 24-year-old has also been rewarded with national team recognition this term.
But with two years left on his contract at Ibrox, US tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, new sporting director Kevin Thelwel l and the 49ers Enterprises could have a dilemma on their hands.
Do they get Raskin signed up on a long-term deal and build a Rangers side around him? Or if a big offer comes in from England or Europe, do they cash in and use the profits to fund a squad overhaul?
Record Sport writers Scott McDermott and Andy Newport take differing views on whether the club should accept a mega-money bid if clubs chase Raskin this summer:
‌
Andy Newport - Keep
Nico Raskin has a lot to learn. Barry Ferguson himself says so.
But we've seen glimpses of what the little Belgian can do with the right tutoring.
And recently, those flashes of aggression, control and incision have been getting more and more regular.
‌
I wrote in these pages last week that Raskin would have to play at a far more consistent level if he was to justify the £20million pricetag some Rangers fans have already slapped on his back. I stand by that, even more so after watching his man-of-the-match performance against Aberdeen.
The performance levels he reached recently against the Dons and before that in the Old Firm draw with Celtic are exactly the heights the Ibrox fan base believe he is capable of. In fact, both Ferguson and teammate Leon Balogun this week expressed their full confidence that the new Red Devils cap will only get better and better.
But both caveated those statements with the requirement that Raskin continues listening and learning, that he takes on board the words of wisdom from his coaches and uses those pointers to tighten up the weak spots in his game.
‌
And there have been plenty of occasions when those weak spots have been exploited this term. Rangers' trophy-less status this season is proof enough of that. So too his absence from the Player of the Year voting.
Of course the blame for the Light Blue's nightmare campaign does not rest solely on Raskin's shoulders but neither is he immune to criticism. For every game where he has dominated a Callum McGregor, you can point to an afternoon where he failed to get the better of a Premiership plodder.
‌
But Raskin is certainly improving and right now, his value is only going up. That, though, will only continue if he does as his boss Barry and buddy Balogun suggest and works to improve on his shortcomings.
And for me, Ibrox is the place to do it. It's been a grim season down Edmiston Road but the impending US takeover has finally sparked a ray of light at the end of the dark tunnel the Ibrox faithful have been trudging through.
With the right decisions and the right investment, they will hope their side can finally emerge from Celtic's shadows sometime soon.
And Raskin could be the man to carry the torch forward if can can built on the burgeoning displays he's put in this term.
With a fresh wind behind him, this could be Raskin's time to shine. Who knows what will happen with James Tavernier this summer but if the skipper goes, Raskin certainly looks like the No1 candidate to inherit his armband.
Raskin has learned the hard way at Ibrox this season but he's steadily emerging as the man the club should be building their team around next term.
Scott McDermott - Sell
Every player has his price.
Especially at the Old Firm where a successful player trading model is the key to success.
That's why, if Rangers receive a huge bid for Nico Raskin in excess of £10 million this summer, they HAVE to take it.
‌
Of course, their prospective new American owners 49ers Enterprises, along with Andrew Cavenagh and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, would love the keep the Belgian long-term.
He's been Rangers' best player in what has been a horrible campaign for the club.
And maybe with a US cash injection, the club could reject offers for their star midfielder.
‌
But there's a bigger picture here. The 49ers Enterprises are coming here to run Rangers properly as a business - and start making profits.
Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart can't bang on about player trading - and then not put it into practice when presented with an opportunity.
Raskin was signed for around £1.5 million plus add-ons just over two years ago.
‌
As much as his current form is excellent, he hasn't been able to drag Rangers to trophies.
By all accounts, his attitude is excellent and even at 24 he has become a leader in the Ibrox dressing-room.
In a perfect world, he'd be an integral part of a new-look side under the next permanent gaffer.
‌
But one of the reasons Celtic are so far of Rangers right now is they know when to move players on - at their optimum level and when the price is right.
They've done it with so many over the years like Kieran Tierney, Kris Ajer, Moussa Dembele, Odsonne Edouard, Josip Juranovic and Jota.
‌
They wouldn't have wanted to lose any of them.
But if a suitable bid is on the table, either Glasgow club has to consider it - and they should have their replacement already teed up.
Rangers lost out big time by not doing that with Alfredo Morelos or Ryan Kent - and they can't afford to make the same mistakes again, even with a new regime at the helm.
‌
Raskin is a top player who might excel and kick on under a new manager.
If he's still at Rangers for the start of the next campaign, the fans will be delighted.
But if any side from England or Europe goes above that £10 million mark with an offer, it should be a new brainer for Cavenagh and Co to accept and use it to fund more additions.