Rangers round-up: £10m Nicolas Raskin exit relevation as Hamza Igamane fee named
Rangers have turned all their attentions back to European action ahead of the second leg of their Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
The Gers will have quite the battle on their hands to progress to the semi-finals, going into the game 0-0 after facing difficult circumstances in tie at Ibrox.
As the domestic campaign is all over for Rangers, supporters will be looking forward to the summer transfer window in the hope of the 49ers Enterprises completing a takeover of the club.
Here, Ibrox News rounds up the latest reports and rumours coming out of Ibrox on 16 April.
Ferguson to stand by Liam Kelly in Europa League
Barry Ferguson made the biggest call of his tenure so far in the first leg of Europa League action, replacing the out-of-form Jack Butland for Liam Kelly.
It was a risky choice with Kelly having had limited minutes this term but a decision that paid off with the goalkeeping putting in a strong performance.
| Player | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| Butland | 26 | 41 | 12 |
| Kelly | 8 | 7 | 4 |
Kelly saved a penalty which kept his side in the tie and heading to the away leg level and with all to play for.
The same decision was made in the Scottish Premiership game against Aberdeen on Sunday (13 April), a game which the Bears drew 2-2.
As a result, it has been reported that Ferguson is ready to stand by the new line-up again with “no questions” over Kelly starting between the sticks on Thursday night.
Hamza Igamane transfer fee update
Hamza Igamane has had a strong breakthrough season with Rangers this season and throughout the campaign, this has led to links away from Glasgow.
The centre-forward was previously said to be valued at £20million [TEAMtalk] ahead of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle interested in securing his services.
However, Richard Foster has suggested that the Gers may need to come back down to earth with that valuation, arguing that he has not done enough to justify that just yet.
Foster suggests that without another season of regular football in which he is delivering on a regular basis, potential is not enough to warrant such a fee.
The problem faced by the 22-year-old is that Ferguson seems to prefer Cyriel Dessers in his Light Blues side, therefore limiting Igamane’s minutes.
It’s yet to be seen who will be in the hot seat at Ibrox next season but the answer to that could well have consequences when it comes to the forward’s future.
Rangers to cash in on Nico Raskin
Nico Raskin has stepped up at Rangers of late and now has 42 appearances in all competitions under his belt.
As a result, Raskin has been linked with an Ibrox exit in the summer transfer window, with the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds United showing interest in his services.
Derek Ferguson has told Rangers that if they are preparing to cash in on the 24-year-old in the summer window, they could be looking at a valuation between £8million and £10million.
Whether the Light Blues will be ready to part ways with Raskin in the summer is yet to be seen, given his increased role in the side of late, though this could well depend on who the new manager is ahead of next term.
One thing’s for sure, though, as the Gers look to become a more sustainable side going forward, these are the kinds of transfers they need to be prepared to cash in on before the boat sails away.