Since his arrival at Ibrox Nicolas Raskin has quickly settled in and already looks like he’s the missing piece Rangers have lacked in midfield for years. A combative midfielder with real quality on the ball, fans already love him and it’s easy to see why.
Before his arrival his ex boss Ronny Delia described him as a ‘pitbull’, probably the most accurate description available. He loves to break up the play then progress with the ball forward, always looking to push the team up rather than going back or just passing sideways.
No goals or assists so far in the SPFL but that hasn’t stopped fans raving about him. His tenacious and progressive play style makes him a players that’s difficult not to love. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and gives his all every minutes he’s on the pitch, combine that with genuine quality on the ball and you have a fan favourite in the making.
His passing ability is definitely one his strengths and that’s shown in the numbers;
- 88% Pass Accuracy
- 94% Pass Accuracy in Own Half
- 84% Pass Accuracy in Opposition’s Half
- 78% Long Pass Accuracy (1.8 Per Game)
- 6 Passes into the Final Third Per Game
Really tremendous numbers from a player who has been crucial in Rangers pushing forward and getting the ball up the pitch as quickly and accurately as possible. With the passing ability he has it wouldn’t be unfair to assume the assists will come soon and with that even more plaudits.
Winning the ball back is another area where he thrives and it looks like a part of the game he really loves, pressing and retrieving the ball. His current numbers are;
- 2 Tackles Per Game
- 58% of Total Duels Won (4.8 Per Game)
- 54% of Ground Duels Won (3.5 Per Game)
- 71% of Aerial Duels Won (1.2 Per Game)
- 6 Recoveries Per Game
- 1 Interception Per Game
For reference on the tackle numbers, Ryan Jack currently only averages 1.2 Per Game so Raskin’s numbers are impressive! He works incredibly hard for the team to make sure they win the ball back and push forward as quickly as possible.
Anyone who has seen Nicolas Raskin play for Rangers will tell you that the club has a genuinely gifted footballer in him. If the positive trajectory of his performances continue he’s a player who won’t be in Scotland for every long, so better enjoy him while he’s here!
What are your thoughts on his start to life at Ibrox?