Russell Martin to clear the air with Nico Raskin in Rangers transfer claim
Rangers have a massive decision to make regarding Nico Raskin this transfer window.
The 24-year-old hasn’t had the best of starts to the 2025/26 season as he’s still trying to find his feet under the new management.
Russell Martin has admitted Raskin may have one eye away from the Gers after speculation around his future.
Wolves have expressed interest at Ibrox in the Belgium international, but the Scottish manager could potentially be set to have a conversation with him.
Rangers need to find best position on pitch for Raskin
Raskin could be a valuable player for the Gers if he stays, Thomas Buffel says.
The Light Blues’ former attacking-midfielder believes it would make sense for the Bears to keep a hold of the 24-year-old at Ibrox, but they need to be clear which position he’ll play.
Martin has used the Belgian midfielder in a more advanced role in the engine room as well as a number six, and may clear the air with him in G51 soon.
- Raskin has struggled under the Gers’ new system.
- The 24-year-old was dropped from the starting lineup after a poor performance against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
- With the Belgian midfielder’s current contract expiring in 2027, the Light Blues could potentially lose value if they keep him.
Speaking to Mail Sport on 17 August, Buffel, who coached Raskin in Belgium’s Under-21, said: “If they can hold onto Nico, it will be a good thing for Rangers. He is a player every coach can use. He has good feet, but is also a player who likes to go in duels, who’s not scared of duels. He’s got a good work rate.
“I think you have to be clear with him in which position he plays and what you expect of him. Because he has good feet, sometimes maybe as a number six, he wants to do too much. So you need to find a balance there.
“He can also play more as an eight, box to box, he can come into the box and score goals. He did that for the Under-21s. I remember he also played a game, playing a little bit wide and getting inside to penetrate into the box. But the number eight suits him.”
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Raskin replacement already found at Ibrox
Raskin could be sold at Ibrox for a hefty profit in the coming weeks after the Gers signed him from Standard Liege in January 2023 for around £1.3million.
After initially struggling to get into the team, the 24-year-old became a key player for Philippe Clement last season and was subsequently handed his international debut by Rudi Garcia, catching the eyes of many with his displays.
Martin hasn’t been able to bring the best out of the midfielder at the Glaswegian outfit so far, and he may be distracted by interest from top Premier League teams after an impressive campaign in G51.
Rangers signed Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract in the winter transfer window, and the Scottish manager has Clement to thank for the ex-Dundee midfielder, who has shone in his initial displays, and it feels like the Gers already have a replacement for Raskin if he does leave Ibrox before the end of August.
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