The Belgian U21 international had impressed after joining Rangers last January but, like the rest of the team, had his confidence sapped under the ill-fated reign of Michael Beale.
Rangers are said to have held off substantial interest to sign Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege, with the midfielder linked to the likes of Barcelona, Marseille & Napoli.
Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez also spoke glowingly about Nico, likening the future Rode Duivels international to ex-Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.
Working with a fellow Belgian defensive midfielder in Philippe Clement, it had plenty believing that perhaps the new Rangers manager is the man to help the midfielder reach his potential.
But since a mid-season injury lay-off, the chance to do so has been few and far between.
Now, whilst Philippe Clement spoke positively about Nicolas Raskin, it appears clear that as things stand the 22-year-old is some way down the Ibrox pecking order.
Philippe Clement on Nicolas Raskin
Since sustaining an injury against Hearts in October last year, Nicolas Raskin has played in only six league matches for Rangers. In all three of his starts he’s been hooked off early.
Not seen in the last three Premiership matches, it’s had Rangers fans raising the question of the midfielder and Philippe Clement has branded “competition” as Raskin’s biggest hurdle.
Naming John Lundstram, Kieran Dowell, Tom Lawrence, Mohamed Diomande, and Dujon Sterling, the comments suggest Nicolas Raskin is currently 6th choice for Rangers in midfield.
“Nico has been unlucky,” Clement said. “He started really well and played the first game [after I was appointed] and scored. He was one of our best players that day.
“Afterwards he got an injury and was out for a longer time and then there became more competition in the midfield. We have a lot of guys who did a lot of good things and Nico is among them, with Lunny (John Lundstram) the stable factor all the time.
“Kieran Dowell did good things in midfield, Tom Lawrence in the number eight role, Dio came in, Dujon Sterling did good things – so there’s a lot of competition. It’s not that Nico is doing things bad now or not good. No. He’s working really hard.
“I see him evolving also. He’s better than when I saw him in October. He is a better player. But there is more competition also. That’s what you need in a top team to perform and to win a lot of games.”
| Nicolas Raskin Rangers stats | |
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 3 |
Rangers midfielder now sixth choice at Ibrox?
It’s clear that Nicolas Raskin faces stiff competition to break through into the Rangers team.
Whilst no-one will be writing the kid off just yet, if Rangers hope to see the kind of progression tipped for Nicolas Raskin he will need regular exposure to big moments and matches.
The idea that Raskin is sixth in the list of midfielders currently at Rangers is an ominous sign and there will come a time when the club has to do what’s right by the midfielder.
Philippe Clement is a fan but it’s clear Mohamed Diomande – who will complete a £4.3m move to Ibrox in the summer – and John Lundstram – who is on the verge of signing a new contract – are the manager’s first choice midfielders.
Throw the other names in there like Kieran Dowell, Tom Lawrence, and Dujon Sterling and suddenly the challenge for Raskin becomes clearer.
If Nico is to make it at Ibrox, then he’ll have to be regularly claiming one of those midfield slots but for the time being at least, it appears Raskin is some way off doing so.
Philippe Clement does however believe in a squad game and it’s up to Rangers’ number 43 to grab the chance when it comes.
Whilst the Belgian appears to be sixth in the Rangers pecking order, it doesn’t say much for the future of number seven.
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