Rangers shocked more than just Celtic with their performance at Parkhead on Sunday with the media, pundits and fans alike all taken aback.
The intensity that Barry Ferguson drew out of his troops after an energy sapping 120 minutes against Fenerbahce in the Europa League was rewarded with a memorable victory, even if the prize was only three points and a modicum of restored pride.
The interim boss did his chances of getting the permanent Rangers manager job no harm at all and his influence on one player in particular highlights perfectly the impact that he has made.
Nicolas Raskin has been called up by Belgium for the first time with Ferguson, jokingly, taking the credit, however, it is an achievement that is richly deserved.
Fans have been singing his praises for some time, but a post on X by the Rangers social media team has seen them take the adulation to a new level.
Rangers fans react as Nicolas Raskin covers every blade of grass
As seen by the image, Raskin put in an incredible shift, as he has done for some time now, even with the extra pair of hands in Connor Barron.
It is an effort that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“If you look very, very closely, you’ll see the worst Belgian in Scotland Pengles (Arne Engels) lying in the middle of the park greeting after his life threatening dive,” posted one, after Raskin dominated his international compatriot, again.
“At least £11m,” said one, in another dig at Engels’ price tag and inability to turn up in big games, other than to take corners and penalties, that’s an expensive penalty taker.
One simply labelled Raskin the “Best midfielder in the country,” and, on current form, nobody could really argue with another wanting a permanent appointment as captain, “Riots if he doesn’t have the armband next season,” said @JamieRFC_.
Rangers fans draw their own heat map for Raskin
There was though, one common consensus. Rangers’ media team had got their image wrong.
Suggestions that Raskin is the “GOAT” might be a little premature, however, in his current form, there is no reason why he can’t achieve his dream of one day playing in the Premier league.
