Michael Beale’s ill-fated reign at Rangers is an infamous ten or so months in the Ibrox side’s recent history.
The former Steven Gerrard assistant was a crucial part of the management team that secured 55 and was handed the reins at Rangers following the sacking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2022.
After an initially promising second half of the season domestically, Michael Beale lost against Celtic in both domestic cups before the Rangers manager was entrusted to revamp the Rangers squad.
But amid much criticism of the spending under the Beale regime, there is one of the Englishman’s parting gifts who is surely turning heads around Europe.
Why Rangers need to agree new Nicolas Raskin contract ASAP
Nicolas Raskin has been one of Rangers’ most impressive performers this season and the midfielder has now been rewarded on the international stage.
Having been handed his first Belgium caps in the UEFA Nations League double-header with Ukraine, the midfielder was given a standing ovation after a starring performance in his first start for the nation in the second leg of the tie.
Belgium fans have lauded Raskin for his impressive performance at the base of the country’s midfield as the nation overturned a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Spain.
Belgian media have also praised Nico for his role in the 3-0 victory, with one outlet even demanding Raskin retains his Belgium spot over two Premier League stars.
If Raskin’s impressive displays in the Europa League were not enough, Raskin’s performance for Belgium is sure to be tuning heads across Europe.
It’s why Rangers need to be offering Nicolas Raskin improved terms on his contract immediately or risk regretting it in the summer transfer window ahead.
Under Michael Beale, Rangers signed Raskin on a ‘long-term’ contract in January 2023, with the club refusing to give specific details.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri would later reveal that Raskin was handed a four-and-a-half year deal at Ibrox.
This means that the midfielder is set to enter the final two years of his contract this summer, with Rangers now needing to sign Nico down on a longer deal or cash in to maximise his value.
There will be huge pressure to sell and Rangers need to sort the midfielder’s contract situation out pronto to give the club room to breathe in the transfer market.
Michael Beale revealed true Nicolas Raskin transfer fee
How much Rangers value Nicolas Raskin is currently unknown but the midfielder’s recent performance with Belgium will certainly have boosted that expectation.
Belgium boast a talented array of midfielders who’ve gone for hefty fees in recent seasons with Raskin rubbing shoulders with Kevin de Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken.
Raskin replaced £11m Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the squad whilst other Belgian players like Amadou Onana (Aston Villa – £50m) and Romeo Latvia (Chelsea – £53m) have fetched hefty fees recently.
It certainly raises question around how much Rangers can expect to bank when it comes to Raskin leaving the club.
But it’ll certainly be more than the fee Rangers paid for Raskin, that’s for sure.
Whilst Raskin’s old side Standard Liege have a 20% sell-on attached to the transfer to Rangers, Michael Beale claims Rangers got Nico on a cut-price deal.
Speaking back in August 2024, Beale claims Rangers paid only £800k to sign Raskin with the midfielder previously claiming it was the former QPR manager who convinced him to move to Ibrox.
“The manager convinced me to come because I had a few other offers,” Raskin said upon signing (BBC Sport). “I wanted to come here because I feel that the manager can improve me.”
It’s certainly not a bad parting gift from Michael Beale, with the Rangers midfielder turning heads across the continent.
