Ibrox View: Sale rumours over Rangers talisman make no sense as Rohl gets him back to his best

Rangers should fight tooth and nail to keep Nicolas Raskin this summer despite ongoing speculation that they could be open to cashing in.

The club were able to keep the influential midfielder at Ibrox last summer despite a public rift with Russell Martin, who told him over the phone that he should leave.

In light of his resurgence since Danny Rohl‘s appointment, that move proved to be a masterstroke, and an especially important one at that. He has been crucial in the Gers’ Premiership title challenge, to the extent that the hierarchy will now be braced for offers.

The 25-year-old is expected to attract no shortage of interest from clubs across Europe, and the Light Blues may not be able to guarantee his future remains in Glasgow even if they do secure Champions League football. As a result, the alarm bells will be ringing.

But it is absolutely crucial that Rohl and 49ers Enterprises do all they can to avoid letting Raskin slip through their fingers, if only to prove their lofty ambitions for the future.

Nico Raskin price tag still not big enough

It has been quite a turnaround for the talented Belgian international.

He had made just 14 appearances under Martin after a dramatic falling out between the two, and it appeared certain that he would leave Rangers on a sour note in the summer. Instead, Raskin stayed against the odds and is back to his best, with the club reaping the benefits.

As a result, Keith Jackson believes the Bears could fetch as much as £20million for the talisman. That price tag has seemingly been born out of two factors: his current deal, which is set to run down in 2028, albeit with the option of another year, and his impressive form.

While Rangers will not be desperate for the money, their ears are likely to have been pricked by the fees mooted. This is only understandable, but really, he should not be for sale at all. In an ideal world, there would be no amount that could tempt the club to the negotiating table.

Raskin has made a whopping 49 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and registering nine assists. His shift toward a more attacking role has added a whole new dimension to his game, and these numbers could have been even better.

His importance at Ibrox is clear, and no amount of money can be placed on that.

Still more to come from Raskin at Rangers

Should Raskin be sold at the hefty price mentioned by Jackson, he would be the most expensive departure in the club’s history. Currently, that title belongs to Calvin Bassey, who was sold for £19.6m in the summer of 2022.

It is just a matter of time before that valuation is usurped.

However, the Gers must be in no rush. Rohl has been able to help Raskin unlock previously unforeseen levels in his game since replacing Martin, and the ace is likely to hold a decisive say in whether his side can leapfrog Hearts and Celtic to win the Premiership title.

It spoke volumes that Raskin had been the one who reported for training under Martin and decided that he wanted to stay at Ibrox. He is determined to bring about success at the club and is unlikely to be agitating to leave in the coming months.

It is crucial, then, that he is not unceremoniously pushed out.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.