Why Rangers vs Kilmarnock can signal turning point for Nico Raskin at Ibrox
Nico Raskin’s 2025-26 season has gotten off to a turbulent start at Rangers.
Reports suggested Raskin and Russell Martin had fallen out in August, with the Belgium international wanting a move away from Ibrox during the summer transfer window.
Since the 24-year-old was reintegrated into the starting lineup, he has endured a poor run of form that has coincided with the team’s worrying results.
Rangers take on Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Sunday, with the Bears looking to secure their first home win in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Despite his ineffective performances in recent matches, Raskin has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for Rangers, and his performance against Kilmarnock will be vital.
Nico Raskin must keep Kilmarnock star David Watson quiet at Ibrox
Raskin is linked with a move to Besiktas as speculation continues to emerge surrounding his future in Govan.
Raskin is expected to play on the left side of midfield, and he’ll be directly coming up against Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson.
Operating on the right of Kilmarnock’s three-man midfield, the 20-year-old has excelled at this level.
Watson was once touted as a future Rangers player, and his emergence over the past couple of years has seen him turn into an incredibly dangerous weapon for Kilmarnock.
| Stat | David Watson |
| Games played | 8 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Shots | 17 |
| Expected goals (xG) |
Should Watson be kept quiet by the Belgian’s industrious work, then it will likely lead Rangers to a comfortable three points at Ibrox.
A good performance is needed not just for the team, but for Raskin himself, who needs to turn over a new leaf and perform well for his club if he wants to be included in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Despite Raskin scoring his first Belgium goal in September, there is still doubt he’ll make the squad, and based on Rangers’ struggles at the moment, that has increased exponentially.
A strong showing against Kilmarnock could mark the change he needs in his season, both for his club and his country.
Raskin was named Rangers Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, and his performance levels often dictate how the rest of the squad will play.
Nico Raskin will play a huge part in Danny Rohl’s success
As Danny Rohl prepares to take charge of his first league game at Rangers, he must be able to rely on some of his players.
The 3-0 loss to Brann on Thursday highlighted how much of a job Rohl has on his hands, and he he’ll undoubtedly be looking at Raskin first to provide some much-needed moments of quality.
Raskin has been invaluable at G51 since his arrival from Standard Liege in 2023.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2022/23 | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023/24 | 31 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | 48 | 5 | 11 |
| 2025/26 | 16 | 1 | 4 |
His fighting spirit is exactly what is needed for the Bears at the moment, and Rohl will need to get the best out of him to ensure he has a successful first season in charge.
If Rangers do pick up their second Scottish Premiership win, it could start a run of successful performances for Raskin under his new manager.
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