Barry Ferguson predicts bright future for Rangers ace Nico Raskin amid ‘damaged goods’ verdict
Rangers have a “very special player” on their hands in Nico Raskin, according to former Gers midfielder Barry Ferguson.
The Ibrox legend noted that Michael Beale has established a pattern with many of his signings, with Raskin and Todd Cantwell having been at a crossroads before their switch to Rangers.
Ferguson added that many of the club’s summer arrivals are in a similar position to the two January recruits in their careers.
“Guys like Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers and Abdallah Sima all have something in common,” Ferguson wrote for the Daily Record. “The same as Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, who arrived before them in January.
“I’m not going to describe them all as damaged goods. That would be a bit harsh. But they are all really talented players who, for a variety of reasons, have found their careers at a crossroads and have arrived at Rangers with big points to prove. You can see the pattern Beale has established with Cantwell and Raskin.
“Raskin wasn’t getting a game at Standard Liege because he wouldn’t sign a new deal. But, the more I see of this kid, the more certain I am that Rangers have a very special player on their hands there too.”
Great start
Rangers boss Beale has definitely taken a lot of risks in his brief spell in the Ibrox dugout so far in terms of transfers, with the January recruitment of Cantwell and Raskin epitomising such risks.
The former was essentially at rock bottom having been a standout in the Premier League just a few years ago, while the latter was causing trouble in Belgium with his refusal to sign a new contract at Standard Liege.
But the duo put those bad moments behind them to immediately hit the ground running at Ibrox, with both enjoying strong starts to their Rangers careers.
Beale deserves huge credit for not only taking the chance on the pair, but also for helping them settle into their new surroundings.
But the manager must now do it all again having been extremely busy in the summer transfer window, with seven new recruits signed so far, with a few more deals likely to be done.
In other Rangers news, one Gers ace played a key role in helping Beale secure one of the club’s summer signings.