Rangers had a busy summer in which Philippe Clement saw the transfer window shut and him still be short of options.
It wasn’t what fans or the manager had in mind with a squad that looked incapable of competing across four fronts or of bringing silverware back to Ibrox.
In recent weeks, Rangers have looked much more like a team that is on an upward trajectory, however, things might have been different had Nicolas Raskin been squeezed out.
Rangers transfer decision has been key Nils Koppen call
Clement spoke about the possibility of signing a No.6 after the window shut with Nils Koppen explaining the summer decision not to bring in a defensive midfielder:
“Connor Barron has started really well, and you have Nico Raskin in that position too. Maybe we could have signed a No.6 this season and pushed again and again over the limit financially, but then do you also kill the value of the players you have in that position?
“There are so many factors attached to all the decisions you make. You have to consider the overall picture. The cost, the other players in that position and the long-term strategy.”
Raskin looked like he was on his way out the club last season and started this one as second fiddle to Barron.
Even Rangers fans didn’t think that the diminutive Belgian could go to the level that he is currently playing at as the deepest midfielder.
The 23-year old seems to win every second ball, win more than his fair share of headers and keeps his team on the front foot with his agressive passing and bally carrying.
The question now is, how much is Raskin worth?
How much is Raskin worth for Rangers now?
There is an easy comparison across the city. Celtic paid £11m for Arne Engels who has now been capped by Belgium’s national team after an impressive start in the SPFL.
Raskin, prior to moving to Rangers, had captained his national team’s Under-21 side, his club side Standard Liege and was tipped to make the step up to the senior international team too.
Engels was playing at a higher level in the Bundesliga, however, in terms of consistency, Raskin has enjoyed a better season so far.
The Rangers No.43 maybe plays in a deeper role, but his valuation is creeping up towards that of Engels and as the Data MB comparison above shows, he is also outperforming him statistically.
A dominant display against Spurs and a winning Old Firm performance is all he needs to confirm that he could be the next big money sale.
