Rangers 'question marks' flagged over Nicolas Raskin transfer decision

Not many Rangers supporters would have foreseen Nicolas Raskin still being at Ibrox after the transfer window.

Raskin is a key player for Rangers, but with just two years left on his contract many expected a summer exit.

Moreover, the 25-year-old drew plaudits for his impressive performances for Belgium at the World Cup.

However, despite reported interest in England, Italy, and Spain, a concrete offer never arrived for Raskin.

As such, he returned to the starting XI for the 2-1 midweek win at Falkirk, and will remain a Ibrox until at least January.

Journalist Mark Guidi questioned Rangers' logic as it pertains to Raskin and another member of Derek McInnes' squad.

Rangers hierarchy questioned for transfer strategy

The Gers spent big money to make as many as 13 signings for McInnes during the transfer window.

However, there are those who questioned why a big sale was not sanctioned to offset some of the cash being spent.

Youssef Chermiti was the subject of big interest, before a serious injury sustained against Hibernian ended that possibility.

Raskin was not sold, and nor was winger Djeidi Gassama despite reported interest from Italy.

Journalist Guidi, speaking on the Go Football Radio Show, thinks those decisions could eventually "catch up" to Rangers.

He said: "(Celtic's) business model, they’re leaving Rangers miles and miles behind. Rangers are miles off it.

"You might say it’s great at the moment, we’ve kept Raskin and we’ve kept Gassama, but that’s eventually going to catch up with you, it’s about selling.

"They kept Raskin out of European games to sell him, so they can’t say they never wanted to sell him, part of the plan was to sell him and they’ve not been able to achieve that for whatever reason.

"So, you look at Rangers and what they spend, they deserve credit for what they spend, I think there’s big question marks over how they spent their money and the personnel they spent their money on.

"In terms of our business there’s so much catching up to do. I think part of the problem is they keep looking across the city, so they see Celtic getting £22million for Arne Engels and £25m for Matt O’Riley; Raskin’s gotta be worth more than Engels because he was in the Belgium World Cup squad. But I don’t know, why should he be?"

Rangers risk past mistakes with Nicolas Raskin

Even after the windows closed in the top-five leagues there was a chance for Raskin to depart Ibrox.

It looked as though he could make a move to Turkey with Besiktas, but ultimately a move did not materialise.

Now, Rangers risk making another mistake with holding high-value players for too long.

We have seen this several times in the past, and it is a lesson that Rangers simply have to learn to become successful in the wrong run.

No one can McInnes has not been backed, but the scattergun approach we have seen to recruitment in recent seasons has to stop eventually.

There is still time for McInnes to get things right and the new players to gel and become a team capable of challening Celtic.

But Guidi is right to say there are question marks over what has happened this summer.