The signing of Nicolas Raskin is already paying Rangers dividends as John Lundstram and Glen Kamara step things up v Hearts.
Ibrox manager Michael Beale has been clear he wants added competition in midfield for Rangers with the reported £1.75m signing of the Belgian bringing that this week.
The highly-rated 21-year-old has joined Rangers from Standard Liege and there is an excitement around this signing given the other clubs reportedly linked.
But at home with Rangers the addition of the midfielder has bolstered the position and already appears to have lit a fire under the likes of John Lundstram and Glen Kamara.
Both players have come in for extensive criticism for lacklustre displays this season as under Giovanni van Bronckhorst the club fell nine points behind in the title race.
But in the 3-0 win over Hearts – played just days after Raskin signed for Rangers – both were stand out performers.
John Lundstram and Glen Kamara respond to Nicolas Raskin signing
John Lundstram was relentless in his ball recoveries and high pressing, whilst Glen Kamara played with purpose and intent, progressively passing the ball and even running in behind.
This follows on from the Finnish international scoring in the weekend’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone.
Nicolas Raskin certainly didn’t come to Rangers to sit on the bench so both players now know they have a potential starter rivalling them for a spot in the starting XI.
For too long these positions have been safe and Michael Beale knows that this uncertainty not only increases competition but it keeps opposition sides guessing.
Rangers look a team reborn under the Englishman and with Nicolas Raskin still to come into the side will only get stronger.
But already the addition of the Belgian is having an impact as both John Lundstram and Glen Kamara raise their performance with their positions in the Rangers squad now under genuine threat.
Here’s our match report from the 3-0 Rangers win over Hearts.