Nicolas Raskin has, like Rangers as a whole, had an up and down season so far.
The midfielder had a spell earlier this term where he was out of Philippe Clement’s starting XI with both Mo Diomande and Connor Barron playing well and building a partnership in the engine room.
The Belgian, however, has roared back into the manager’s thoughts and might even be playing his best football right now having had a fantastic 90 minutes in particular against Kilmarnock as the Light Blues blew them apart in a 6-0 mauling.
For Raskin, he has never hidden from the fact that he knows, to play, he must be at his best.
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And when he did find himself out of the squad, it was important not to let it get to him too much and instead focus on how to play his way back into contention.
Like every other footballer in a strong squad, there is always likely to be moments of joy and other moments they find themselves off the boil.
But 23-year-old Raskin never gave up on himself.
Nicolas Raskin opens up on his time out of the Rangers squad this season
“Yeah, it’s the same for everybody,” Raskin said when asked how difficult it was during his time out of the team.
“You’re just trying to work hard and trying to show that you’re present and that you want to play. I think the quality of training is high because everybody wants to play. Everybody wants to show that they’re ready.
“The team was doing good, was winning games, so you can’t really say it’s normal that the team that plays good and wins games continue.
“So it’s just about time, working hard, don’t give up and then when your chance comes it’s up to you to take it and try and do the best out of that.”
Raskin believes he’s playing good football in his favoured position
Asked if he was right now perhaps playing his best football at Rangers, Raskin admitted: “I think I’m playing where I wanted to play now.
“I think since I came it’s maybe the first time I get a run in the number six position where I was playing before. So that’s where I enjoy the most playing.
“So yeah, I think now if I can stay fit I can just continue trying to build on those performances.”
