New Rangers manager will be alarmed as full stats emerge from Nicolas Raskin’s Belgium display
Nicolas Raskin featured twice for Belgium during the international break but underwhelmed against Wales in their 4-2 victory.
Under the previous manager, Russell Martin and Raskin had an icy relationship at Rangers.
The midfielder was dropped by the former Southampton boss with sources telling Football Insider that Raskin could leave Rangers in January due to the conflict.
However, with the Gers board sacking Martin after a dismal start to the season, the managerial candidates will be monitoring the Belgian’s peculiar display against Wales on 13 October.
Raskin goes missing for Belgium despite crucial World Cup qualifiers victory
The Red Devils prevailed in a tense 4-2 win over Wales to continue their push to qualify for the World Cup.
Raskin was picked again as part of a defensive midfield partnership with Aston Villa‘s Amadou Onana yet struggled to get a foothold in the match.
The 24-year-old lost possession on 10 separate occasions and was dribbled past three times as the Welsh attack ran all over him.
| Selected stats vs Wales (13 October) | Nicolas Raskin |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Key passes | 0 |
| Touches | 38 |
| Possession lost | 10 |
| Ground duels (won) | 7 (3) |
| Dribbled past | 3 |
| Accurate passes | 21/29 (72%) |
Moreover, he only landed one successful tackle, losing four of his seven ground duels in the 90 minutes.
On top of this, his usual clinical passing was wide of the mark, only finding his target 72 per cent of the time with 21 of his 29 passes accurate.
Given his recent run-ins with Martin, the next Rangers boss will be aware of this below-par performance for Belgium which will give the new manager food for thought when working with Raskin moving forward.
Rangers remain undecided over Russell Martin replacement with days ticking down before end of international break
Rangers suffered a setback when Steven Gerrard turned down the chance to manage the club for a second time.
Yet, former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider on 14 October that Danny Rohl is the frontrunner for the Rangers job.
If the ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss was to succeed in becoming the Teddy Bears’ new boss, he has a decision on his hands on what to do with Raskin.
Rohl’s formation fluidity means that onus will be on versatile midfielders to adapt to ever-changing systems during matches.
The Belgium international’s struggles against Wales suggests he might not be ready for such a task which would give the German a headache in whether to build his team around him.
The 24-year-old is certainly capable, but recent spats with Martin could give the incoming Gers boss some doubts over the midfielder’s viability to be one of the go-to players in the starting XI.