Philippe Clement has always been up against it since joining Rangers with a crisis never far from his day.
Despite the manager having to play James Tavernier in the middle of defence and Ross McCausland at right-back, the Ibrox faithful still left happy with qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League secured.
With so many players available, Clement is pushing some harder than he normally would with Nicolas Raskin running himself into the ground for Rangers.
Nicolas Raskin going through the pain barrier for Rangers
Raskin, speaking after the win over USG, couldn’t be happier with his current form, but suggested that there is better still to come, via The Rangers Review:
“After all the difficult moments I’ve had, I’m very proud. I can’t thank them enough. I’m trying to give everything for the supporters on the pitch,” said the 23-year old.
“I’m playing with some problems, but everybody’s doing it. We do it for the club, we do it for the team. We’re trying to go over the limit to get the job done.
“I think my position on the pitch allows me to be closer to other players, so it’s good for me. And also, you know, if the one in front of me is doing the job correctly, it helps me also. It’s normal for me to try and put them in a good position.”
If Raskin is carrying an injury or two, Clement has to make sure that one of his main assets is wrapped up in cotton wool whenever possible such has been his influence.
Can Raskin achieve Premier League dream?
Raskin suffered a frustrating 2023/24 and, if they are being honest, a lot of Rangers fans had written him off this season too.
The victim of a shocking scissor tackle in pre-season against Ajax, he has come back stronger and better than ever.
The extra responsibility that he has been given in midfield saw him go from sitting on the bench earlier in the season to captaining the team.
Few Rangers players have gone from written off to being, arguably, the most valuable player, with displays against Premier League teams that won’t have gone unnoticed.
His dream of playing for Chelsea seemed like a fantasy only a matter of months ago, not any more – if the price is right.
