Rangers probably need a bit more from Nicolas Raskin | OneFootball

If we think back to six weeks ago, there was one particular topic that was on Rangers fans’ lips. Well, in actual fact, there were quite a few, but one stands out for the purpose of this piece. That was the hero worship and idolisation of Nico Raskin in light of Russell Martin’s fight with the Belgian. Nico Raskin Rangers commitment.

We all remember the hysteria over Raskin, and the fact that he was being cast out and wasn’t playing under Martin. Fans with all their memes saying “I side with Nico”, all this stuff. Well, Raskin has very much been back in the team now for quite a while, and we can’t really say there has been an ounce of difference in midfield whatsoever.

A Player Without Impact

Indeed, against Kilmarnock, he was kind of invisible. No real impact, and he certainly didn’t shine in Norway either. Raskin is a player who has wanted to leave Rangers for some considerable time. He is a good player — we wouldn’t lie about that. You don’t play for Belgium more than once if you’re not a decent player.

But the problem is, his heart is not fully with Rangers and hasn’t been for ages. Nico Raskin has had an offer on the table since January, since well before the Martin debacle, and he’s not interested in signing it.

Contract Stalemate

His teammate, Dujon Sterling, who we referred to in an earlier article today, begged him publicly to sign the contract. He hasn’t, and he won’t. His own grandfather admitted that Raskin was disappointed not to get the move out of Rangers.

The problem is that it doesn’t really matter what appears in the press to suggest that Raskin doesn’t want to be at Rangers. The majority of fans will not think in that way and will back him fully. They will endorse and support Nico Raskin until his performances are persistently poor.

Credit in the Bank — For Now

For now, he has clearly got credit in the bank after the Martin stuff. But if we look at Joe Rothwell, he started out not too badly according to a lot of fans. Ibrox Noise wasn’t impressed, but the majority seemed to think he was great. After a month or two, it was abundantly clear that everyone had come on side with us. That he was absolutely average mince.

So fans do change their minds if they see performances aren’t up to scratch. Raskin, as we say, has that credit in the bank and will remain popular with fans for now. But the fact is, he’s not exactly playing like the player that fans expected him to be.

We could probably do with a bit more from the Belgian amid a lacking Nico Raskin Rangers commitment.