6 days ago
5
Nicolas Raskin is well on the way to becoming an established Belgium international.
While it would be a stretch to suggest he is the first name on the team sheet, the Rangers midfielder has every chance of playing for them at the World Cup finals next summer.
Having made a huge impression in their Nations League play-off two months ago, when his second-leg performance against Ukraine earned him a standing ovation, Raskin was given his third and fourth caps in the latest international window.
If last week’s 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia was nothing to write home about, Raskin can claim to have played a significant part in Belgium’s thrilling 4-3 win against Wales on Monday night.
Having gone three goals up in the opening 27 minutes, Belgium somehow allowed Wales to storm back with three goals of their own and set up a dramatic finale in Brussels, where Raskin came on with 15 minutes left.
Kevin De Bruyne’s late winner for the home side grabbed all the headlines, but Raskin exerted an important influence on Rudi Garcia’s panic-stricken side, who are favourites to win their qualifying group.
Nicolas Raskin celebrates with Youri Tielemans after Belgium's epic win over Wales
Raskin made a huge difference to a struggling Belgian side when he came off the bench
While midfielders Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans will not be easily displaced from a team ranked eighth in the world, Raskin has proved that he has a contribution to make at that level.
Assuming Belgium make it to next year’s finals – their five-team section includes Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein – the 24-year-old is on course to join them in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Whether he will still be a Rangers player is another matter. Assuming he doesn’t want to sign an extension to his existing contract, which is due to expire in 2027, the club’s new owners have an immediate dilemma on their hands.
Should they keep one of their best players and build a team around him, safe in the knowledge that he would still earn them a fee 12 months hence?
Or should they do what their predecessors so often failed to do and cash in on him this summer? After all, it could be that he will never be more valuable than he is now.
While his star is currently in the ascendancy, who is to say what the future holds, especially if Rangers don’t hit the ground running under American stewardship?
Raskin’s situation will be an immediate test of Rangers’ new regime and an early guide as to how they will run the Ibrox club.
My favourite Rangers star? It's got to be Gazza, admits Russell Martin
Rangers head coach Russell Martin has revealed that the player he idolised most as a kid was Paul Gascoigne during his golden era at Ibrox.
Martin was just nine years old, growing up in Brighton on the south coast of England, in the summer of 1995 when Gazza quit Serie A outfit Lazio to head to Glasgow in a sensational £4.3million transfer.
Russell Martin loved watching Paul Gascoigne in his pomp with Rangers and England
He already had a soft spot for Spurs, the mercurial midfielder’s old club, and followed Brighton as well.
However, Martin admits that Gascoigne’s form during his time at the Light Blues – and, particularly, his performances during England’s run to the final of Euro 96 – captured his heart in the way no other player ever had.
Asked in a quickfire question feature on Rangers’ official club channel about his footballing hero as a child, the newly installed Ibrox gaffer replied: ‘I know it will sound cliched, but it was Gazza. All of us absolutely loved watching him.
‘When he was flying during Euro 96 and with what he did up here, he was an incredible player to watch.’
New manager's first big task was picking up strips for his children
Russell Martin landed at Ibrox for his grand unveiling last week and quickly grasped his first major role in his new role as head coach – picking up a set of brand new Rangers kits for his three kids.
The 39-year-old was given a tour of the stadium and the club museum in New Edmiston House, a structure that didn’t exist during his short time as a player back in 2018, after completing his media obligations last Thursday.
Russell Martin seemed most taken with the new Rangers away strip on his arrival
He was also most impressed by the new Umbro-branded strip launched for next season when doing a signing session and was particularly taken with the white away kit hitting the market when grabbing a sneak peek at it during a visit to the home dressing room.
In behind-the-scenes footage taken by club cameramen as Martin autographed a number of blue home tops, the former Scotland defender was heard to say: ‘The strip’s nice, huh? I need to go home with kits for my kids or they’ll kill me.’
How Martin's good work has extended far beyond the football field
The charity set up by Russell Martin to improve the lives of many throughout his hometown of Brighton and the wider Sussex area have told Rangers they couldn’t have chosen a better leader to bring positive change.
The 39-year-old brought ‘The Russell Martin Foundation’ into being eight years ago as a vehicle to help ex-professional footballers help the local community.
However, it has since grown into a impressive charity organisation committed to sport, education and wellbeing and holds a lease on its own football ground, Old Barn Way, the former home of Southwick FC.
According to details at the Charity Commission, it now has 24 employees and is going from strength to strength with a host of corporate sponsors and more than £1m committed to charitable activities at the last count.
Russell Martin's charity foundation does outstanding work in Brighton and surrounding area
‘We’re incredibly proud to share the news that Russell Martin, founder of the Russell Martin Foundation, has been appointed as the new manager of Rangers Football Club,’ said a statement.
‘Russell started the Foundation back in 2017 with a vision to use the power of football to inspire and support young people.
‘What began as a football academy has grown into a charity that continues to make a real difference across education, health, and wellbeing and it all started with his passion for helping others.
‘As he takes on this exciting new job in his managerial football career, we know he’ll install the same dedication, leadership, and values to Rangers as he has to RMF.
‘From everyone at the Russell Martin Foundation, congratulations, Russell, and best of luck in your new role!’
Ronaldinho connection has taken Metinho a step closer to Govan
Rangers target Metinho Silu was taken from war-torn Congo to begin a new life in Brazil as a baby – all because his dad was a massive fan of former Barcelona magician Ronaldinho.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who spent last term on loan at Swiss side FC Basel from French outfit Troyes, is understood to be on the Ibrox club’s radar as new sporting director Kevin Thelwell actions his recruitment plan for next season.
Metinho Silu, who spent last term on loan at FC Basel, is understood to be on Rangers' radar
Ronaldino was his dad's favourite player, a passion that took Metinho from Congo to Brazil and then Europe
Metinho is about to enter the final year of his current contract, is likely to be available at a competitive price and, should he arrive in Glasgow, will come with a fascinating back story.
The Silu family left the Democratic Republic of Congo as a result of religious persecution and war in the early 2000s to move to a favela on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and the story goes that Brazil was chosen because of father Abel’s love of the *Selecao* – Ronaldinho, in particular - and the fact he hoped one of his children could maybe make the grade there.
Meto – soon to be renamed Metinho – became a Brazilian citizen and was picked up by the academy at Fluminense. At the tender age of 16, he was invited by then Brazil national coach Tite to train with the full national team and discussed at the time what a matter of family pride that was.
‘Brazil fulfilled my dream and that of my father,’ said Metinho, who joined Troyes in 2021 and has also had loan spells at Belgians Lommel SK and Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
‘If it wasn’t for my father seeing football here, being a Ronaldinho fan, dreaming of coming to the country with me, I wouldn’t be here.’
Why Esson is convinced that a league title is just around the corner
Departing Rangers goalkeeper Victoria Esson is convinced the team will go on to win the league championship that eluded them during her three years at the club.
The New Zealand international, one of three players who are being released this summer, joined the club from German side SC Sand shortly after they won the title in 2022.
They won five trophies during her spell in Scotland, but the big one escaped them, most recently thanks to an agonising defeat by Hibs on the final day of last season.
Having made more than 50 appearances for Rangers, that was hard for Esson to take.
However, she fully expects them to go all the way when they try again next season.
Victoria Esson was successful in the cup competitions but was annoyed the league title eluded her at Rangers
Keeper Esson is leaving Rangers but believes the SWPL title will soon be in their grasp
‘I joined Rangers in the summer of 2022 straight after the team had won the league,’ she said. ‘Expectations were high to do it again, and I was up for the challenge. Unfortunately, that second league title is yet to be achieved.
‘An agonising end to the past three seasons has left us all feeling underwhelmed.
‘Despite the disappointment, the team has managed to win five cups in three years and that is something we should all be very proud of.
‘I have no doubt that the team can achieve greatness next season, winning that lucrative piece of silverware that everyone works so hard to obtain.’
Esson has been away on international duty, earning her 28th New Zealand cap in a 2-1 win against Venezuela, but she will play her club football elsewhere next season.
Like Tessel Middag and Chelsea Cornet, her contract has not been renewed by Rangers, who also wave goodbye to the retired Jane Ross. Charlie Devlin’s loan spell has come to an end, too.
Esson, 34, said she had been through a rollercoaster of emotions with Rangers and thanked all the players, staff and supporters who had made her feel welcome.
‘Thank you to everyone who went out of their way to make this Kiwi girl feel at home when she was so far from home.
‘After three years at Rangers, it’s now time for me to say my goodbyes.
‘It’s time for me to spread my wings and continue to play the game I love somewhere new. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to represent the club, and I wish everyone the very best of luck in the future.’
