Nicolas Raskin has gone off the boil when Rangers need him most – here’s why
Danny Rohl needs his best Rangers players on top form right now.
It was a hugely frustrating Sunday afternoon for Rangers, as Rohl‘s side drew 2-2 with Livingston.
After the high of the 4-2 win over Hearts, Livingston was a sobering low point, and one that could have devastating consequences for Gers’ Scottish Premiership title hopes.
Not coming away from the game against the league’s bottom-placed side with anything less than three points was unfathomable for Rangers, and yet, it’s only thanks to two late goals that they escaped with even a point.
There was a whole host of players who had far from their finest hours on Sunday, and Raskin was certainly one of them.
Nicolas Raskin hasn’t been at his best recently
There have been reports emerging over the last few days that the Ibrox hierarchy are looking to hand Raskin a new contract, as he has been the subject of transfer interest for some time now.
Raskin has been one of Rangers’ best players this season, and indeed ever since his January 2023 arrival in Glasgow, and has established himself as arguably the best player in his position in Scottish football.
However, the Belgian international hasn’t been showing that over the last couple of games, which will be concerning for Rohl, as he needs his top players firing on all cylinders now more than ever.
As per Sofascore, Raskin recorded an expected assists number of 0.05 against Livingston, played zero key passes, missed one big chance, won none of his tackles, made no interceptions and won two of his five ground duels respectively.
Meanwhile against Hearts, the 25-year-old registered a 33 per cent long ball accuracy, had no shots on goal, lost possession 14 times and made one error leading to a goal respectively.
These numbers are totally unlike the typically excellent, impactful and efficient midfielder, and whilst it’s unfair to expect him to play well every game, Rangers can’t have him going off the boil at this stage of the season.
Raskin has perfect chance to put things right
However, when it comes to Glaswegian football, there isn’t a better game for a player to bounce back in than the Old Firm derby.
And that’s precisely what’s on the agenda this Sunday, as Rangers host their bitter inter-city rivals at Ibrox on 1 March, in what is shaping up to be the biggest clash between these two sides in some time.
For Raskin, reverting back to his typically excellent self on Sunday would put any concerns over a slump in form to bed, and Rohl is going to need his talismanic midfielder at his best.
Celtic are also hurting after their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian over the weekend, and a Gers win could land a knockout blow to their Premiership title hopes this season.
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