Andy Walker backs Rangers to follow Celtic blueprint with Nicolas Raskin sale

Andy Walker thinks Rangers could end up following a Celtic blueprint if they sell Nicolas Raskin.

There was a fair bit of surprise this summer that Raskin remained at Ibrox despite being heavily linked with a move away from Govan.

Raskin had just come off a string of strong performances for Belgium at the World Cup, which saw his stock rise.

Clubs in England, Spain, and Italy were credited with an interest, while a late-window move to Besiktas failed to materialise.

With the 25-year-old out of contract in June 2028, there is still a great deal of doubt around Raskin's future.

Former Celtic player Walker thinks the Gers midfielder may follow the path of a player who left the Bhoys just months ago.

Nicolas Raskin could follow path of former Celtic man

There were some eyebrows raised that Rangers did not make a high-profile sale this summer, despite an extensive outlay.

A serious injury to Youssef Chermiti only exacerbated suggestions that the Gers would cash in on Raskin.

Ultimately, though, he stayed put and he has been a regular in the engine room under Derek McInnes.

Raskin was non-committal about the idea of signing a new contract or a January exit when speaking to the media this week.

Speaking about what Raskin said on the Go Radio Football Show, Walker said he understands why an ambitous player might make a move.

He thinks Raskin would be capable of playing in the Premier League, but thinks English Championship clubs might also come in, much like West Ham United did in their £22million purchase of Arne Engels from Celtic.

Walker said: "I don't think there's any problem with a player trying to play for a move.

"I mean he would have to play really well, you can understand his ambition after being at the World Cup and he could play in the Premier League in England.

"My goodness, he could play in the Championship for the top teams. Look what Celtic did with Engels, getting a lot of money for a Championship player and there's a good number of clubs in the Championship that would be able to pay that type of money."

Do Rangers stick or twist with Nicolas Raskin?

Rangers find themselves in a familair conundrum with a top talent who could bring in some decent cash.

On the one hand, Raskin is likely to be a key player if Rangers are to prise the Scottish Premiership away from Celtic.

On the other, if they let his contract wind down too much then his value is bound to depreciate.

If they could get him to commit to a new deal, perhaps with the promise of a sale if certain criteria are met, that would be ideal.

But if they can't do that, then it might be time to take a plunge and sanction a sale in the winter.