Former Belgium coach Roberto Martinez believes Rangers pulled off a coup when they beat competition from ‘top European clubs’ to sign Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege.
The January 2023 transfer window could yet prove to signify the beginning of an exciting new era at Ibrox. In Raskin and Todd Cantwell, Mick Beale helped bring in two players boasting the talent and the personality to become the cornerstone of a Rangers side facing up to what he describes as the ‘biggest rebuild in a number of years’.
Cantwell scored a stunning volley during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen; channelling his inner-Arjen Robben with a gorgeous first-time finish. Raskin is already a fans favourite too. His £2 million price-tag already looking a bargain with the all-action 22-year-old boasting a skillset wider than the River Clyde.
And Martinez, who knows Raskin well from his time as the head coach of Belgium, believes Rangers deserve major credit for snapping up the U21 international from under the noses of Europe’s big hitters.
Did Rangers really beat Barcelona to Nicolas Raskin?
“Firstly, I think it is a very clever signing,” Martinez, who recently took the Portugal job, says in quotes reported by Football Scotland.
“It’s a clever signing. He’s a player that was highly rated by all the top European clubs. And I think Rangers were very quick in the acquisition.”
Barcelona were one of those reportedly keeping tabs of Raskin before his January move to Ibrox. Leeds United were also linked.
“Nicolas, I loved working with him,” Martinez adds. “He reminds me of another former Rangers player; Gennaro Gattuso. He’s got that dynamic approach being a number 8. He can be box to box, but he’s got the quality when he gets on the ball. Nothing fazes him.
“I think it’s been a very intelligent signing.
“I can only see him growing. And the potential that he has if he develops, it will help Rangers and it will help himself.”
