Philippe Clement has rarely been able to pick his first choice XI since taking over at Rangers.
Oscar Cortes is back in training which means that the manager might finally get that option as the squad begins to look stronger than it has at any point since being paraded at Ibrox.
One player who has made a huge impact since returning to fitness and to the starting XI is Nicolas Raskin, who is finally showing why Rangers fought off clubs like Barcelona to sign him.
Nicolas Raskin draws comparison with former Man Utd powerhouse
Connor Barron started the season in the No.6 role alongside Mohamed Diomande, however, Raskin’s form has made him undroppable.
Using DataMB’s comparison model, the 23-year old is performing to the same level as one of Serie A’s top performers in Scott McTominay from his time at Man Utd.
Raskin’s key passing numbers are a surprise given his involvement in the final third, but his main job isn’t to create, it’s to stop the opposition and help to build play.
On these metrics, Raskin outperforms McTominay across the board in what is his best season for Rangers.
Raskin proving doubters wrong as he names main reason for form
Raskin is clearly benefitting from John Lundstram no longer being at the club and being able to get a run in the team in his preferred position:
“I am playing where I want to play now, since I have come it is maybe the first time I have had a run in the number six position,” the diminutive midfielder told Rangers TV.
“It is the same for everybody, you are just trying to work hard to show that you want to play. The quality of training is high because everybody wants to play, and everybody wants to show that they are ready.
“When I wasn’t in the team, the team were doing well and winning games so it is normal that the team that plays good and wins games continues so it is just about time, working hard, not giving up and then when your chance comes it is up to you to take it and try to do the best out of that.”
Only a matter of weeks ago, fans questioned who out of the squad could make any decent size of transfer fee, in Raskin, Rangers have the perfect modern day defensive midfielder and could soon be fielding offers if his form continues.
