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Inside the stunning rise of Nicolas Raskin from Rangers outcast to starring Belgium role and huge standing ovation
NOT even six months ago, Nicolas Raskin was struggling to get a start for Rangers.
Now, he’s a leader at club level AND Belgium‘s newest international star.
Raskin, 24 was a player targeted by Rangers for some time.
The Light Blues finally got their man on transfer deadline day in January 2023 in a deal worth just over £1million.
A somewhat stop-start Rangers career has followed but now it’s abundantly clear why he was a player the club had been watching for some time.
Raskin has been the heart at almost everything good for the Gers in recent weeks.
Aggressive, imposing and impressive on the ball, the diminutive No43 has become a real talisman at the heart of Barry Ferguson‘s midfield.
A history maker who had been signed – and moved on – by three of Belgium’s biggest clubs before his teenage days were over, Raskin’s rise to the top has been an intriguing one.
Born into a footballing family and tipped for big things, his career has had a few bumps.
Injuries, struggles for form and an all-out feud with a former Celtic manager at times hindered his progress.
But all of those hindrances seem a thing of the past with a standing ovation on his first international start a sign that Raskin’s potential is on its way to being fulfilled.
SunSport takes a look at the dramatic rise of Raskin.
Beginnings in Belgium
Born in Liege, Raskin is the son of Thierry Raskin, himself a former footballer.
Raskin Sr spent his entire playing career in Belgium, counting Standard Liege and Cercle Brugge among his clubs.
In his days as a youngster, Gers ace Nicolas was a wanted footballer.
He joined Belgian giants Standard Liege as a seven-year-old in 2008 and would spent seven years in the club’s academy.
Raskin wouldn’t make his professional bow there, however, as he moved onto another giant of the Belgian game, Anderlecht, in 2015.
Two years in the academy there followed before he was on the move yet AGAIN – once more to another of Belgium’s biggest clubs.
This time, Raskin moved to Gent and it was there he would be given his professional debut.
Raskin appeared as a 16-year old in a league victory over Sint-Truiden in February 2018.
It was a moment of history that saw Raskin become the first player born in the 21st century to appear in the Belgian Pro League.
Perhaps surprisingly, that would be Raskin’s only senior appearance for Gent.
In 2019, he returned to Standard Liege and after more than a year of biding his time, became an integral part of things in the 2020/21 season.
Things at Standard would, however, end on a major sour note.
Feud with Deila
Raskin was a key figure for Standard Liege throughout the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
It was during the latter of those campaigns that Rangers’ interest in him first emerged.
In the summer of 2022, Standard appointed Ronny Deila as their new manager.
The Norwegian, who managed Celtic between 2014 and 2016, took over as boss and Raskin continued as a regular in the team.
However, that all changed towards the end of the calendar year.
In fact, Raskin’s last appearance for Standard would come on 13 November, 2022 – almost an entire two months before his Rangers debut.
Raskin’s contract at Standard was due to expire at the end of that season, the 2022/23 campaign.
Deila had admitted early on in the campaign that his future at the club was an uncertain one, describing the situation as “complicated.”
Fast forward to December and things had turned very sour indeed.
Relations between Raskin and the club had completely broken down with Deila BANISHING him from training as their relationship became strained amid the player’s refusal to sign a new deal.
After being sent to the B-team, Raskin blasted on social media: “When respect is no longer served, you have to know how to leave the table.
“Very disappointed, but not surprised.”
Deila subsequently confirmed Raskin would NEVER play for the club again.
And that’s how it transpired.
Raskin's diet change
“I had never really had injuries before, but here I had four in the last 18 months.
“I thought I must be doing something wrong to have those injuries.
“I felt maybe I had gained a bit too much weight. So I tried to work on that.
“I had asked the chef at the training ground to prepare a meal for me at home so I can eat well in the evening.
“I’ve lost between two and three kilos now.
“It’s not much, but it’s small details that make the difference on the pitch, between being first to the ball or being too late to the ball.
“When you’re young, it’s difficult to eat well in the evenings.
“I have an agreement with one of the chefs, Alex, who makes food for me to have at night.
“Then I don’t have to decide about what I’m going to have.
“He knows everything and prepares me the food to take with me.”
Nicolas Raskin, speaking in December
Move to Rangers
Rangers’ interest never went away and on transfer deadline day in January 2023, Raskin joined the Ibrox club.
Penning a long-term deal, he became Michael Beale‘s second signing since taking over as Rangers manager.
The initial impressions were good.
Gers fans enjoyed the renewed energy Raskin and fellow new recruit Todd Cantwell brought to the team.
They were disappointed when neither of them started the League Cup Final defeat to Celtic that February.
Raskin would finish the campaign with 16 appearances to his name and would no doubt have been looking forward to his first full season in light blue.
Injury woes and form concerns
A huge overhaul in the playing squad would follow at Rangers under Beale.
What followed was a disastrous start to the season.
Raskin was a regular starter under Beale but the Gers struggled badly under Steven Gerrard’s former No2.
Just weeks into the season, late on a Sunday night on 1 October, Beale was SACKED by Rangers.
The axe fell on Beale in the wake of a dire 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen that left the Light Blues seven points off the pace just seven games into the new league season.
Raskin hadn’t featured in that disastrous game against the Dons.
That’s because he’d been dealing with the first of two injury issues that completely derailed his first full season as a Rangers player.
A muscle injury ruled him out for more than a month between September and October.
Philippe Clement was installed as Beale’s replacement and Raskin would score in the Belgian’s first game in charge.
A brilliant low effort helped the Gers on their way to a thumping 4-0 win over Hibs – his first Rangers goal.
He would start the following midweek against Sparta Prague before retaining his place in a league win over Hearts.
Injury woes would strike again.
Raskin suffered an ankle injury against the Jambos and ended up being stretchered-off.
He wouldn’t be seen again until January.
Raskin would return to a side that was beginning to mount what had seemed the most unlikely of title challenges.
Clement had turned Rangers’ fortunes around dramatically and a 3-0 win at St Johnstone on 18 February saw the Light Blues go top of the Scottish Premiership table.
A thumping 5-0 win over Hearts the following weekend piled the pressure on defending champions Celtic while a gritty 2-1 comeback win at Kilmarnock kept the Gers top.
While the Gers fortunes had dramatically turned around on the pitch, for Raskin, it was likely to have been a frustrating time on a personal level.
‘Peripheral figure’ under Clement
Raskin returned to action after injury on 2 January as a late substitute against Kilmarnock.
He wouldn’t play an entire 90 minutes for the Gers until 14 May.
By that time, the title challenge had completely collapsed.
A shock 2-1 home defeat to Motherwell kick-started a dire run for Rangers, who enter a run of just one win in five matches.
Celtic would regain top spot and went on to retain the title.
From his return game in January, Raskin made 17 appearances in all competitions.
But only two of those would see him complete an entire match on the pitch.
Many were substitute appearances and on a couple of occasions, Raskin even found himself hooked at half-time.
He was struggling to find any kind of form.
There would be more silverware disappointment as Rangers suffered a gut-wrenching last gasp defeat to Celtic in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final, with Adam Idah’s late winner coming moments after Raskin had been taken off.
Last summer saw plenty of change at Ibrox.
John Lundstram, a first pick at the heart of the Rangers midfield, had moved on.
However, it did NOT immediately lead to a chance for Raskin to shine.
That’s after he suffered yet another injury blow in pre-season.
He was forced-off during a friendly clash with Ajax and missed the start of the campaign.
It was yet another ankle injury but thankfully for Raskin, it wasn’t a long term issue.
In his absence, Connor Barron, a new recruit from Aberdeen, and Mohamed Diomande were the duo Clement quickly installed as his first choice midfield two.
Two more midfielders were brought in for a 1-0 win at Dundee United on 15 September – Kieran Dowell and Tom Lawrence.
Raskin appeared as a late sub in that match having returned to fitness.
He would finally make his first start of the season on 29 September.
But it was more frustration as he was subbed-off at half-time of a 1-0 win over Hibs.
Raskin was even branded an ‘outcast’ early in October.
In a brutal assessment of where he was at at that point of the season, pundit Michael Stewart said: “Raskin has just become a peripheral figure really.”
At that point in time, it certainly wasn’t clear just where and how Raskin slotted into Clement’s plans.
As the weeks went on, however, his influence grew more and more.
Nicolas Raskin's career
Born on 23 February, 2001 in Liege
Spent time in youth systems of Standard Liege, Anderlecht and Gent
Given first team debut aged 16 at Gent in February 2018, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to appear in the Belgian Pro League
Returned to Standard Liege in 2019 and became a key player
A fall out with Ronny Deila, the former Celtic manager now in charge at Standard, saw Raskin banished to the B team towards the end of 2022
Completed move to Rangers under Michael Beale in January 2023 for just over £1m
Injury hampered much of his first full season at the club and he struggled for starts under Philippe Clement
Made huge impact this season and has captained Rangers on several occasions
Earned first Belgium call-up and made debut in first leg of Nations League play-off against Ukraine
Given standing ovation after being substituted during second leg of tie
Captain fantastic
A superb showing in the middle of the park in a 4-0 Europa League win over FCSB would herald a turnaround in Raskin’s fortunes.
He would start EVERY game he featured in from then until a Boxing Day defeat against St Mirren, a decision put down to rest and rotation by the now under-pressure boss Clement.
Raskin returned to the starting XI three days later as Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw away at Motherwell.
By this point, Raskin had become a key man.
In a Rangers team under Clement often accused of being slow, ponderous and lethargic, the Belgian midfielder’s tenacity and energy in the middle of the park was viewed a rare beacon of hope from the Ibrox stands.
On 2 January this year, Celtic headed for Ibrox.
The man to captain Rangers that day? Nicolas Raskin.
After a long, frustrating and at times arduous journey, it felt like he really had finally earned Clement’s trust.
A chance to impress in his favoured number six position had finally seen him make his mark.
With regular captain James Tavernier and vice captain Jack Butland both missing, it was Raskin entrusted with the armband.
It was a decision, too, that quickly paid dividends with a tremendous back-heel assist from Raskin setting up Ianis Hagi’s openin goal just seven minutes in.
He would put in a man of the match display as he led the Gers to a 3-0 triumph over the Hoops.
Raskin was subbed off in the dying moments of the game to a rapturous reception.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “The fans reception? They love me and I do love them so much, it is just amazing to play here, we just need to continue.”
Change of diet
As mentioned, in the weeks leading up to that derby day triumph, Raskin had appeared to put his injury woes well and truly behind him.
Since returning to action in September, he’s been virtually available for selection in every match.
Speaking in December, Raskin opened up on how one of the CHEFS at Rangers had helped him transform things.
As he looked for answers to his seemingly never-ending injury woes, Raskin concluded that he was perhaps carrying a little too much weight.
So he sought help from a familiar face closer to home.
He explained: “I had never really had injuries before, but here I had four in the last 18 months.
“I thought I must be doing something wrong to have those injuries.
“I felt maybe I had gained a bit too much weight. So I tried to work on that.
“I had asked the chef at the training ground to prepare a meal for me at home so I can eat well in the evening.
“I’ve lost between two and three kilos now.
“It’s not much, but it’s small details that make the difference on the pitch, between being first to the ball or being too late to the ball.
“When you’re young, it’s difficult to eat well in the evenings.
“I have an agreement with one of the chefs, Alex, who makes food for me to have at night.
“Then I don’t have to decide about what I’m going to have.
“He knows everything and prepares me the food to take with me.”
The Ferguson impact
While it’s been a much better campaign for Raskin personally this time around, for Rangers it’s been another one mired in frustration and difficulty.
Just like the campaign before, it has included a managerial sacking.
A dismal 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren – a result that came just a fortnight after the horror Scottish Cup elimination at the hands of Queen’s Park – saw Clement’s reign ended after just 16 months.
Rangers legend Barry Ferguson was quickly installed as his replacement.
While Raskin’s performances and form had already turned a massive corner under Clement, he has reached yet another level since the change of coaching staff.
Ferguson has changed things up, deploying a back three in Europe and in the recent clash with Celtic.
It was another Old Firm clash where Raskin was named man of the match.
It was the Belgian midfielder, too, who sparked what was Rangers’ first win at Parkhead since 2020 by heading in the opening goal.
Raskin’s performance in the Europa League last 16 first leg win over Fenerbahce was also lauded.
It was his superb through ball that sent Vaclav Cerny clean through on goal to seal a memorable 3-1 win for the Gers in Turkey.
With Barron reinstalled to the team alongside him, Raskin has performed a role where he’s covered the proverbial every blade of glass.
He’s caught the eye time and time again over the past month or so – and it’s little surprise that the ultimate recognition followed.
International star
Raskin earned his first call-up to the Belgian national team ahead of their Nations League double-header.
Rangers fans lapped up the fact that Celtic’s £11m man Arne Engels had NOT been included at the same time.
Barely a week after helping Rangers to the Europa League quarter-finals and inspiring the rare away win at Celtic, Raskin made his international debut.
He came on as an 80th minute sub as Belgium suffered a 3-1 first leg defeat to Ukraine in their Nations League play-off.
That disappointing result prompted changes from boss Rudi Garcia for the second leg with Raskin installed to the starting XI.
It was a decision Garcia certainly wouldn’t regret.
That’s because Raskin put in a stellar showing and was named man of the match on his first international start.
Belgium won 3-0 on the night to dramatically turn the tie around and pip Ukraine to victory by a single goal.
Raskin’s stunning performance – alongside the superstar likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku – didn’t go unappreciated either.
Footage showed the moment he was given a huge standing ovation by the Belgian fans as he made his way off to be substituted in the dying moments of the game.
One thrilled fan on social media wrote: “Looks like we’ve found the perfect foil for Kevin De Bruyne in Raskin.”
It’s been quite a turnaround for Raskin and one he’ll be looking at propelling on even further from now until the end of the season.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
‘We all know’ – Real Madrid target Dean Huijsen WON’T be a Bournemouth player next year, says team-mate Justin Kluivert
JUSTIN KLUIVERT is resigned to losing Bournemouth team-mate Dean Huijsen.
Real Madrid are taking an increasing interest in the Spain defender after a stellar breakthrough season in the Premier League.
Centre half Huijsen, 19, won his first senior cap as he helped his country see off Kluivert and Holland in a Nations League penalty shootout yesterday.
Kluivert said: “He plays for Bournemouth with me. He is a great player. Spain has a phenomenon for so many years.
“He is truly amazing. He came to England in the summer and adapted fantastically.
“He is so young and he already plays for Spain – and he plays like this.
“I’m sure he will have a lot of offers in the summer. And we all know that next year he won’t be with us at Bournemouth.”
SunSport exclusively revealed in January that 15-times European champions Madrid have lined up a move for the blossoming defender.
He has a £50million release clause in his contract having cost Bournemouth just £15m last summer from Juventus.
It took Huijsen until December to nail down a place in Andoni Iraola’s side but has not looked back since, featuring 27 times this season.
He was called up to the senior Spain squad for the first time this month.
Huijsen, who was born in Amsterdam but moved with his family to Marbella as a kid, previously represented Holland at Under-19 level.
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