Nicolas Raskin has pulled out of the Belgium U21 international squad due to injury – and it has Rangers fans worried he won’t make the upcoming clashes with Celtic.
The 21-year-old midfielder has impressed since coming into the club in January with Michael Beale courting controversy by failing to start Raskin or fellow new signing Todd Cantwell in the League Cup Final.
Rangers fans are expecting more trust to be put in some fresh blood for the upcoming Hampden clash, the same old faces letting the side down again in the last Old Firm match, with the young Belgian amongst those most fancied.
But after missing the weekend’s 4-2 win over Motherwell at the weekend, Nicolas Raskin provided an injury update to fans as he pulled out of the Belgian squad.
Whilst the player insists the problem is minor, how many times have we heard that one before at Ibrox?
Rangers are set to face Celtic at Celtic Park on April 8th before visiting Hampden to face their eternal rivals on the 30th of the month.
Taking to his official Instagram page, Nicolas Raskin revealed:
“Unfortunately I will not be playing for Belgium U-21 in the upcoming two matches due to a small injury. I’ll be back soon!”
Nicolas Raskin injury adds to Rangers issues
Just when the Ibrox club were beginning to get back to their full complement, the injury to Nicolas Raskin, however minor, comes as a blow.
The Gers have had a string of major injury problems all season long and it has badly disrupted a campaign which initially promised so much in the summer window.
Now nine points behind in the Premiership table and with the Scottish Cup the only viable silverware as things stand, you’ll forgive Rangers fans for getting a little antsy.
But beyond just the Scottish Cup and remainder of the Premiership campaign, Rangers fans will be frustrated the club’s new-look side takes a dent with the injury problem.
Whilst the likes of Todd Cantwell, Malik Tillman and Ridvan Yilmaz add a freshness to the Rangers XI, fans are eager to see Nicolas Raskin complete the quartet.
Meanwhile, one BBC pundit has been slaughtered for his take on a Todd Cantwell incident.