Barry Ferguson admits Rangers needed Nicolas Raskin in midfield v Celtic, surprised at Beale decision
Barry Ferguson has admitted he thought Nicolas Raskin was a “stick-on” to start for Rangers in the Viaplay Cup Final against Celtic, and he was surprised Michael Beale left him on the bench.
The Gers left Hampden Park empty-handed after the 2-1 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side on Sunday (26 February) in a somewhat underwhelming performance against their Old Firm rivals.
Rangers legend Ferguson has now highlighted Beale’s decision to side with Glen Kamara and John Lundstram over January recruit Raskin in the middle of the park as a mistake when speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (Monday, 27 February).
He said: “By watching Raskin over the last couple of weeks, certainly last week against Livingston, I thought he was a stick-on to play.
“I’m not disappointed. If you look at the four that could play in that holding two – Lundstram, Raskin, Jack or Kamara – I would have been happy with any of them.
“But I think with his performance last week, it is the type of player that Rangers have been needing so I was surprised.
“Maybe Michael Beale will be looking back and maybe that was a mistake that he made. There’s no excuses, the better team won at the end of the day.”
Lesson learned
Having the benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Beale will surely wish he travel back to before the final and name Raskin in his starting line-up.
From the moment the two teams’ team sheets dropped on Sunday, the three-man midfield of Celtic looked like it may out-play Kamara and Lundstram – who did also have Malik Tillman in front in a more advanced role.
The Gers lacked control from the very first whistle, and it was Postecoglou’s side who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated the early proceedings. In the end, the lack of clarity in midfield resulted in Rangers falling behind just before the break and being caught napping against on the other side of the interval.
Raskin was brought into the club in January to add an extra dimension to Beale’s midfield, with his passing ability and vision trumping those who took to the pitch on Sunday.
Usually, Kamara and Lundstram are a perfectly suitable two-man midfield against most Scottish Premiership opponents, but they were simply out-manoeuvred by the Hoops on Sunday.
In other Rangers news, a contract has already been signed for an in-demand attacking player to join the club.