Russell Martin needs to build Rangers revolution around Ibrox 'work horse' who is the exact type he will want in his side

Daily Record

14 hours ago

Nico Raskin has been making waves with the superstars of Belgium and Kyle Lafferty says he is a must keep in Govan
He's now mixing it with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku for Belgium.
And that's got Rangers fans wondering whether it might be a good time to cash in on Nico Raskin.
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That will be up to new gaffer Russell Martin and the Ibrox hierarchy should big bids come in for the 24-year-old midfielder this summer.
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But former Gers striker Kyle Lafferty is having none of it.
Instead of selling off their prized asset, the Northern Irishman says Martin should be building a new-look side around him.
Lafferty spent three years with the Rangers manager at Norwich City where Martin was skipper.
And if he's got one piece of advice to his ex-team-mate, it's to do everything in his power to keep Raskin in Glasgow.
Lafferty is excited about what Martin can achieve at Ibrox if he's given the right tools to work with.
He believes that to implement his trademark style of play at Gers, he'll need the Belgian's dynamism in the engine room.
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Lafferty said: 'Some of the players who are already at Rangers are outstanding and Russell will do well to hold on to them.
'Raskin falls into that category. For me, he's one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership so keeping him is a must - especially the way Russ wants to play.
'We have to keep Raskin at Ibrox but it's going to be hard because of how well he's performed recently.
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'There will be teams in for him after making his international debut for Belgium. That's been massive for him.
'But Russ should be looking to build the team around him.
'Raskin is a work-horse and exactly the type Russ will want at Rangers.
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'The team will press high up the park and Raskin can do that.
'If we keep him and add a few more quality players, it's going to be an exciting season for the club.
'Russ will have to sign players because we don't have the depth of quality in the squad to go and win trophies at the moment.
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'But Russ will have a few names already who he wants.
'And if he gets the backing, I think it can be a pretty good season for Rangers.'
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When Philippe Clement was sacked at Ibrox and the manager's job became available - Lafferty was torn between two men he knows well.
He either wanted to get his old gaffer, Steven Gerrard back at Ibrox. Or give Norwich pal Martin a shot at restoring to the club to its former glories.
He feels Rangers lost their identity under Clement and is convinced they'll get their DNA back under Martin.
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Lafferty said: 'I'll be honest, I had my heart set on either getting Steven back - or Russell getting the job.
'What Gerrard did at the club was incredible. From the day he arrived until he left - it was night and day.
'He got us out of the hole we were in and eventually won the title.
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'But with Russ, he'll bring new ideas and a freshness. At Southampton, he exceeded expectations.
'I don't think many people thought he'd get them promoted to the Premier League when he took over. And he did it with a clear style of play.
'If the Rangers board backs him, I think we've appointed the right person.
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'When Clement arrived he didn't know anything about the Scottish league. I don't think he realised how big Rangers or the fanbase is.
'When that's the case, it affects you - whether you're a player or manager.
'Because you're suddenly hit with this wave of support and expectation. And they might not be able to handle it.
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'At Rangers, you need to win every game and get trophies.
'I don't think Clement had a clear game-plan or style of play. That's one of the things Russell will definitely bring.
'He will only be looking for the type of player who can strengthen the club and fit his style.
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'Rangers will have a real DNA now under Russ. And he knows what the club means because he's been there as a player.
'The fans' expectations won't affect him because he's felt it before. I think he'll do really well.'
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Lafferty got close to Martin at Norwich a decade ago along with another former Ibrox star, Steven Whittaker.
The new Rangers boss was the Carrow Road captain who led by example.
And even when he did things a bit differently, Lafferty admired his humility.
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That's why he's delighted that he's ended up in charge of his boyhood club.
Lafferty said: 'I got on really well with Russ at Norwich. We had a wee tight group, which included the two of us, Whitts and Wes Hoolahan.
'Russ has been a captain at almost every club he's played for. That says it all about his leadership qualities.
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'He's a guy who will always look to help you whenever he can. A lot has been said about his Buddhism and other stuff.
'And obviously in a dressing-room there's a lot of banter flying around.
'But at Norwich, if he did something which he thought might affect people, he'd come and apologise.
'He didn't have to but that's just the type of person he is. He's a gentleman. I'm really glad he's now in the hot seat at the club I support.'