Reportedly Rangers-bound midfielder Nicolas Raskin has been urged to get back playing to force his ways into the Belgium U21s – where he has previously worked with Thomas Buffel.
The latest coming out of Ibrox and in the press appears to suggest a deal for Nicolas Raskin is close and – if it hasn’t been already – is expected to be announced in the coming days.
It’s an exciting move for Rangers fans who’ve been waiting a while to see the midfield area upgraded, with any Nicolas Raskin deal following Todd Cantwell into the club.
But interestingly there is something of a previous Ibrox link with Nicolas Raskin, who has worked with Belgium U21 assistant manager Thomas Buffel during his time with the squad.
Thomas Buffel spent three-and-a-half years in Glasgow with Rangers after joining from Feyenoord in the winter of 2005 and is now the assistant manager of the Belgium U21s.
Nicolas Raskin has been a consistent figure in the Belgian youth set-up but after being banished to the Standard Liege reserves is under pressure to find minutes.
Nicolas Raskin in Thomas Buffel Belgium link
Speaking to the press regarding the situation, Belgium U21 manager Jacky Mathijssen has been urging the kid to get back amongst the minutes on the pitch and back into the thinking of the nation’s watching coaches.
This includes Thomas Buffel, who could almost certainly tell Nicolas Raskin a thing or two about Rangers.
Mathijssen has also claimed that the Rangers support would be delighted to see Nicolas Raskin turn out at Ibrox.
“The Rangers fans will be delighted if he goes to Glasgow,” said Mathijssen [Daily Record].
“He’s a player who is always all-in. He’s got a good heart, is always ready to work but has excellent technique too and is very flexible tactically. He can play No.8, he can play in the pockets.
“That’s how he plays for me in the Under-21s. He’s very young but his potential is high.
“My assistant Thomas played in Glasgow with Rangers and he knows very well the pressures there so I’m sure he’ll be in touch as soon as this is made official to help him.”
Nicolas Raskin has five caps for the Belgium U21 side and has made 96 appearances for the Standard Liege top team, laying on 13 assists and scoring five goals.
Meanwhile, the club reportedly faces competition in the hunt for Asmir Begovic.
