Will The 2nd Half Display Against Servette Kickstart Nico Raskin’s Season?

Nico Raskin started off the season slowly but put on an incredible display in the 2nd half in Geneva. Is this the beginning of his season?

It’s no secret how highly he is rated after his performances last season. However, at the beginning of this campaign, he hadn’t managed to hit those levels, until the second 45 on Tuesday.

Even in the first half, he was sloppy on the ball and didn’t seem to match his usual energy levels. Whatever Michael Beale said at half time clearly worked a treat as he was superb after the break.

He worked harder than anyone on the pitch to win the ball back and kept possession well when he had it. It was the Nico Raskin that fans had grown to love, can he kick on from here now?

That 2nd Half Display

By the end of the game on Tuesday, Nico Raskin had;

• Completed The Most Dribbles – 3​
• Had The Most Tackles – 3​
• Most Fouled Player – 3​
• Won The Most Duels – 13
• 6 Recoveries
• 1 Big Chance Created

He was everywhere in that half and it was potentially his best 45 minutes in a Rangers shirt. It was definitely his best 45 minutes of the season so far.

It was a genuinely top European display from the 22-year-old Belgian. The type of 45 minutes that turns heads from top clubs and the national team manager.

Michael Beale even highlighted Raskin’s performance post match, alongside midfield partner José Cifuentes.

The two are a really exciting midfield duo and if they can keep the performance levels up during the domestic season and European runs, we could be in for a fun season.

Did Raskin and Cifuentes’ performances excite you? Do you think they could be a good partnership in the midfield this season? Should they be first choice?

Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of what an on-form Nico Raskin brings to Rangers. He’s dogged, tenacious and fiercely determined to win the ball back. He’s exactly what the club had been missing for years.

He had a slow start to the season but showed what he is truly capable of to help seal Rangers progression in the Champions League. That version of Nico Raskin is a player that could play in one of the top five leagues. That version of Nico Raskin is what Rangers need to get the title back and have a European run.

How highly do you rate Nico Raskin? Do you think he’s an important player in this Rangers team? How good do you think he was on Tuesday (in the 2nd half anyway)?

ICYMI you can read a profile on supposed centre back target Ronnie Edwards here.