Raskin and Diomande could be sold as ‘horrific’ 49ers reality emerges at Rangers
Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande could be casualties of the 49ers’ revolution at Rangers.
The duo have emerged as key players for the Ibrox outfit this season despite a dismal campaign for the Govan side.
This was evident once again in the 1-1 draw with Celtic (4 May) as they ran the show and were unlucky not to be part of a winning team.
However, they could be sacrificed for the greater good as the Americans make sweeping changes to the Auchenhowie club.
Jackson moots Raskin and Diomande exit for Rangers
The Belgian international has attracted interest from the likes of Leeds and Aston Villa, meanwhile, the Ivorian has been linked with Spanish and Italian clubs.
Keith Jackson believes that the new ownership could sanction sales for the duo as they look to transform the squad.
In a column for the Daily Record (5 May), he said: “Rangers could even look to turn a profit on both Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, who also impressed in the thick of the midfield battle throughout yesterday’s derby, setting up Dessers for the opening goal.
“The very idea might horrify the club’s supporters, given that Raskin and Diomande are probably the pick of the bunch.
“But the changes required this summer will have to be radical, and it could be that nothing is off the table where Thelwell and Cavenagh are concerned.”
Rangers may need to sell superstars as 49ers take charge
The new investment has given plenty of cause for excitement in Govan, but their task will not be easy when their takeover is completed, given the mess that the 55-time champions find themselves in.
The Gers are light years away from Brendan Rodgers’ side and it will take a significant overhaul to catch them, which may require selling the likes of Raskin and Diomande.
| Stats (Scottish Premiership) | Raskin | Diomande |
| Matches | 30 | 33 |
| Goals | 2 | 4 |
| Assists | 7 | 7 |
| Minutes played | 2,377 | 2,440 |
It would be a huge blow for Light Blues supporters, but it may be a necessary evil if they are to catch their arch-rivals anytime soon.
If the Bears decide to cash in on their star players in the summer, they could fetch a sizeable profit and it would fit with the recruitment model of finding hidden gems and selling them on for larger fees, which will benefit the Auchenhowie outfit in the long run.
It would give them more financial stability and more money to invest in the playing squad, which could accelerate the timeline when it comes to catching up with their Glasgow rivals.
There will be hope among the fanbase that they can still improve the squad while keeping their best stars, but it does not feel like a realistic option for Kevin Thelwell and Co.