This time last season, Rangers fans were anticipatory arrivals of both Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, two signings designed to bring fresh legs to the midfield.
There was an enthusiasm and energy brought to the squad that had previously been missing and the pair of them being absent for long periods this season has been an issue.
Ibrox saw the return of Nicolas Raskin before the winter break and his numbers last season suggest that he wasn’t the reason for the form of his Rangers teammates prior to his injury.
Rangers return for Nicolas Raskin a boost for Philippe Clement
The midfield dynamo looked buzzing to be back out on the pitch with Philippe Clement praising the 22-year old’s determination to get fit again:
Using DataMB’s comparison model Nicolas Raskin compares favourably with some of the world’s elite midfielders, in particular Nemanja Matic, the Rangers dynamo might not have been 100% earlier this campaign but he wasn’t exactly surrounded by quality either.
This graph is a comparison with other midfielders in top seven leagues but, as provided by Heart and Hand’s resident analyst, Adam Thornton, he has still been a key contributor.
Statistically, despite not being on fire, he out performs every midfielder in the Scottish Premiership.
Two of the key components of Philippe Clement’s philosophy are energy and intensity.
This isn’t just running about, this means moving the ball quickly and moving it in the right direction.
All things that Nicolas Raskin does for Rangers either by passing the ball or driving out of defence.
The more good quality players that Clement has at his disposal, the better.
Just as he was at Ibrox against Kilmarnock, Raskin will be like a new player when he gets back into the pitch, looking to add the trophies to the excitement of when he first signed.
