Nico Raskin sees Rangers pal publicly demand a new deal as star man told 'sign the contract'
He's arguably the Light Blues' biggest asset and fans are desperate for him to remain beyond 2027 when his deal expires
All the talk this summer has been over the 49ers takeover at Rangers.
Then focus swiftly changed to a new manger and that objective has been ticked off with Russell Martin in the door.
Now the Light Blues faithful are desperate to see the new regime splash the cash as they bid to pull in Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.
But it is prized asset in the changing room who is making waves not just with supporters but also his team-mates.
And it is an opinion that is shared by everyone associated with Rangers when it comes to Nico Raskin.
After getting over a series of niggles and establishing himself as a key cog in the side under Philippe Clement before his sacking, the midfielder hasn't looked back and has propelled himself to key man status.
That isn't just for the club with the midfielder proving his worth and earning wide praise from Belgium boss Rudi Garcia as he tears it up alongside superstar team-mates like Kevin De Bryune.
Closer to home the midfielder has two years left to run on his Rangers contract.
In short, it means if an offer lands then the new owners would not need to rush into a sale but it would be prime time to do business in terms of holding all the aces at that magic two years to go milestone.
But Dujon Sterling has publicly called out his good pal Raskin and told him 'sign the contract' in an Instagram exchange that the Rangers faithful will be lapping up.
Sterling has been recovering from injury and shared snaps on his profile from his downtime with Rangers' pre-season back on June 23rd as they prepare for crucial Champions League qualifiers and the domestic return.
Raskin was quick to comment 'my boy' before his pal pinged back a demand that is shared widely by the Ibrox support.
It comes just days after Kyle Lafferty told Record Sport that the new era must be built around the Belgian.
He explained: '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.
"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.
"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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Enzo Maresca left with huge Chelsea calls ahead of Club World Cup opportunity
Chelsea will represent the Premier League in the FIFA Club World Cup off the back of winning the Europa Conference League and there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Enzo Maresca's side Enzo Maresca has already won a European trophy and booked a place in next season's Champions League. But in reality, Maresca is still only on par. While no-one would admit it publicly, it would have been a failure if Chelsea had not lifted the Europa Conference League trophy and getting back on European football's biggest stage was always the target. And yet the Club World Cup offers not just the incentive of a £97m jackpot for the winners but also a huge opportunity for Chelsea. This could be the tournament which puts them back among the elite and, almost as importantly, gives them a chance to start shaping their future. This is also about what Chelsea can get out of this tournament as a squad. When appointing Maresca last year, the club made it clear they viewed the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons almost as two years rolled into one. Why? The unique nature of the Club World Cup threw up a new challenge but also a big opportunity. They have spent big ahead of the tournament in the United States, adding Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap and putting them straight into their 28 man squad for the Club World Cup. They spent £30m on Delap and now comes the question over whether he can challenge Nicolas Jackson to be the club's first choice No9. Jackson can be rash, unreliable and temperamental as getting sent off at Newcastle in the run-in proved. But he is also strong, improving and, for Senegal against England, he has shown big potential. Now comes Delap who was sought-after by a string of clubs and it now remains to be seen whether he is good enough to win his place as first choice or provide the sort of competition which Jackson needs to focus his mind. The line-ups in the United States - starting against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday - should be very revealing about that striker dynamic. Equally, the keeper issue is yet to be resolved. They were so adamant that Robert Sanchez was going to stay No1, had the club's full backing - and yet then went for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan. They could not get a deal done but may yet revisit it but stressed it was an opportunity which popped up. However, it still reveals that there are doubts over the keeper issue and they do have a young gem in Mike Penders who has been out on loan but is highly-regarded. Chelsea's Filip Jörgensen played the Conference League final but there can be no doubt that a convincing No1 would really improve the whole team and give the team more confidence. What happens in the United States should be really revealing on that front. Quite how far Chelsea go will also shape their plans for next season because they want to give players a break and yet the Premier League starts just five weeks after the Club World Cup final on July 13. That is a dilemma for a lot of clubs and managers. But the worry for Chelsea is that there is an acceptance they have still got ground to make up on Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. But starting as a disadvantage while giving their main rivals a head start is exactly what Chelsea do not need. They must get the balance right between wanting to win but also being recharged and ready for next season. The other fascinating dynamic is that arguably Chelsea's most exciting young signing is playing at the Club World Cup - just not for them. They paid £29m for Estevao Willian who was courted by every big club in Europe. Chelsea landed him but allowed him to stay at Palmeiras for another year and the Brazilian club are in Group A. There will be a lot of excitement about this 18-year-old and it could catch light in the United States. He is so skilful, such a terrific dribbler and is hugely entertaining.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic tick all the boxes for Benjamin Nygren as Sweden star outlines exactly what he wants at next club
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BENJAMIN NYGREN craves a big club with a huge support who fill a noisy stadium every week. He wants to fight for trophies, play under pressure and get a crack at Champions League football. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Benjamin Nygren speaking to WTV in Sweden Credit: WTV 4 He addressed his future in football 4 He's closing in on a move to Celtic Credit: Alamy If only there was a club out there that could offer him all of that Nygren didn't name Celtic as he spoke candidly about his ideal next step just two weeks ago. But the Sweden star couldn't have dropped any bigger hints that the Hoops are the perfect club for him. SunSport has unearthed a YouTube interview where Nygren outlined his wishes as he prepares to quit Nordsjaelland. The 23-year-old would have been aware that Celtic were watching him closely as he talked on a Swedish channel. And it appears the Hoops will tick every single box as he closes in on a £2million move to Parkhead. Asked why he is ready to move on, Nygren said: 'I want to go to a bigger club. 'I want to play in the Champions League and I want to get as far as possible in my career. 'We have been in agreement for some time about me leaving in this window. I feel it's time. 'I want to go to a club that has extreme belief in me and has a clear plan for me. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up 'But also a big club that plays in the best tournaments in Europe. 'At club level, the Champions League is the biggest competition you can play in. 'Nordsjaelland is a very family-orientated club and it can be quiet in the stands. 'That is good in a way maybe but I think it's a lot of fun when there are a lot of fans. 'It's more fun to play when it's a full stadium, where there are a lot of supporters and there is a lot of pressure. 'That is what I like the most.' Nygren has been a revelation in Danish football for the last two years and is now a full Sweden cap. He scored 16 goals for the Superliga side last season and already has two in just four appearaneces for the national team. But he believes there is even more to come from him and wants to play under a manager who truly believes in him. Benjamin Nygren's career 2013 (youth level) - 2019: IFK Goteborg - 15 games (six goals, five assists) 2019 - 2022: Genk - seven games (one goal) 2020 - 2022: Heerenveen (loan) - 51 games (seven goals, six assists) 2022 --: Nordsjaelland - 107 games (35 goals, eight assists) Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers has a track record for developing players in his attacking midfield position. Tom Rogic, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Matt O'Riley all blossomed under his guidance at Parkhead. Nygren could be the next to work with Rodgers and the versatile playmaker has vowed to keep working at his game. He said: 'Being able to play in different positions is a strength for me. 'I know that I can contribute a lot to teams and also help make people get the best out of their own qualities. 'I believe in my abilities and I think I am good at creating chances and finishing when I get them myself.' Nygren will always be grateful to Nordsjaelland for the way they helped revive his career after a £4m move to Genk in 2019 didn't work. The Danish side offered him a platform to show his qualities again after being tipped as Sweden's next big thing as a kid. Nygren has taken that chance and also given a lot back to Nordsjaelland, and captained the team last season. Yet he admits he has now outgrown the club, who focus on developing talent as opposed to winning trophies. He said: 'I would definitely say it's a good environment to develop. 4 'We have a lot of young players. 'Generally, in the last ten games of the season, we had three or four 18-year-olds in the starting line-up. 'That's not very common so it's a platform to learn and develop. 'This is a club that has a lot of eyes on it, but which also maintains a very high level and is a top-five club in Denmark in principle every year. 'Nordsjaelland's highest goal is not to win the league, but to play with young talents to sell. 'It is a selling club and it becomes difficult to compete for the titles when you sell your best players all the time. 'But that doesn't affect my motivation. Wherever I play, even if nobody is watching, I want to win.' Nygren also has an eye on next summer's World Cup after recently breaking into the Sweden squad. Jon Dahl Tomasson's side face Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia in their qualifying group and are favourites to progress. Nygren is desperate to stay in his national squad and playing at a high level in Europe for Celtic would boost his chances. Speaking to Wenstrom Television, he said: 'The World Cup is the biggest thing there is. 'It is one of my highest goals to get there during my career. 'It was extremely fun to get into the Sweden squad and score my first goal. 'That is something I have been dreaming about for a long time. 'I have fought very hard each day to reach that level in my career. 'I felt I was getting closer and closer, and it fun to be called up and play for the national team. 'To make my debut and starting debut and score my first goal was a dream.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video
Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video The Red Devils legend's eldest son is following in his footsteps as he makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend Rooney junior is following in his famous father's footsteps Wayne Rooney makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend as part of the England team for this year's Soccer Aid charity match. The former Manchester United striker became a legend during his 13 years with the Red Devils, becoming the club's all-time record goalscorer and helping them to five Premier League titles, as well as triumphs in the Champions League and Europa League. In his 559 appearances for the English giants, he also lifted the FA Cup, two League Cups and four Community Shields. However, eight years after he left United to return to boyhood club Everton, and four years on from retiring from playing altogether, Rooney returns to the Theatre of Dreams in a new role to raise money for UNICEF. Sunday night's match will see the 39-year-old - who has held managerial positions with Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle since retiring - adopt a player-coach role for the charity event. It will see him lead the team from the sidelines as part of a coaching team also made up of Tyson Fury, David James and Vicky McClure, before taking to the pitch alongside the likes of Roman Kemp, Sir Mo Farah and Bella Ramsey. Rooney previously managed at the 2020 edition of Soccer Aid, but said the opportunity to work alongside Fury in the role made this year's event even more exciting. Article continues below "I'm a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic," said the Premier League legend as his role was confirmed. "We have this in common - we'll both be taking it incredibly seriously. It's great to lace up the old boots again - and see some old friends." Rooney is set to earn a warm reception as he returns to Old Trafford and, while it has been eight years since he last played for United, his ties to the club remain strong, thanks to his eldest son Kai. Content cannot be displayed without consent The 15-year-old is currently tearing it up for the Red Devils' youth teams and has been tipped to follow in his father's footsteps at the club, such is his ruthlessness in front of goal. Kai has impressed his coaches since joining United in 2020 and earlier this year hit headlines after scoring a brilliant solo goal for the club's U17s side in their clash with Real Sociedad. The impressive move saw the teenager collect the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch after his centre-back found him with a knock over the top. After getting away from his marker with a neat first touch, he shrugged off another would-be tackler before slotting the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net. While the United side ultimately lost 5-1, the strike - which has been viewed by over three million people on social media - caught the eye of fans who have tipped the young talent to emulate his legendary father at Old Trafford. Content cannot be displayed without consent Of course, Kai has receive a fair amount of guidance from his father, as he explained: "It's a lot about scoring goals because he was pretty good at scoring goals. So it's mainly tips about that. "He is preparing me to get into professional football with the right mentality." Revealing his favoured position on the pitch, the youngster added: "I could play on the wing as well, but I'm mainly a striker that scores goals." Rooney senior has also spoken of his pride at his son's budding career, telling The Athletic: "He's enjoying it. That's the most important thing. He's doing everything he can to try to have a career in football and not just him, my other children as well. "They love the game and my advice - to any children - is play to enjoy. "There's that much pressure when you do get to the professional level and sometimes you forget why you're playing the game. You're playing because you love playing the game and you enjoy playing the game." Article continues below Rooney's wife Coleen also told the Mirror: 'We've never pressured them into even playing football. We've always just let them decide what they want to do. My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK. 'I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you are as good as your dad?'. Kai says 'I'm a different type of player.' "You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person.'
