Danny Rohl told to have a word as Nicolas Raskin worry raised ahead of Rangers vs Celtic
Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin holds the key to Danny Rohl’s plans when they face Celtic on Sunday afternoon.
Raskin had been in impressive form prior to the last Ibrox meeting with Martin O’Neill’s side on 1 March, but he was suspect defensively as the Gers threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2.
The Belgian won just three of the six total duels that he attempted, and made just one tackle in the Old Firm contest, per Sofascore.
There have been questions over whether Rohl will stick with the 4-2-2-2 system when Rangers face Celtic at home for the second time in a matter of days on 8 March.
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Why is Raskin the key to Rohl’s tactical plan?
Andy Newport believes that Raskin could be the reason that Rohl sticks with or abandons the formation.
He thinks that he should stick with it, but admits that the German needs to make sure that worries over the 25-year-old’s discipline are addressed after his showing last time, and Rohl needs to have a word with him.
Speaking to the Daily Record‘s Saturday Jury column on 7 March, Newport said: “Yes, but only if he can stress to Nico Raskin the importance of keeping his positioning and his composure in the centre of the park.
“When the Belgian gets caught up in the emotion of the game, he tends to wander, but Sunday is an occasion that demands cool heads in the heat of battle.”
Why Rohl cannot afford to get it wrong vs Celtic
Victory over Celtic evaded Rangers last time out, when they should have had it wrapped up.
Therefore, they need to make a statement, and knock their Glasgow rivals out of the cup, which could demoralise them for the rest of their league campaign.
If Rohl chooses the wrong combination in midfield in a 4-2-2-2 and Raskin is all over the place, not sticking to his role, then it could go terribly wrong for Rohl’s side.
When he is at his best, the nine-time international is one of the top players in the Scottish game, but he can be caught out when he goes forward, especially as one of the deeper options in that system.
If the Bears are to overcome the Hoops, and Raskin does play, he needs to stick to the role which his manager tells him to play, and not go off and do his own thing, otherwise, his side will likely give away more chances than they should.
The current version of Celtic are beatable, if the hosts can do their own thing and not get mixed up in the emotional occasion, and the midfielder will have a key part to play.
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