Glasgow Rangers are experiencing their worst domestic season in years. After being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Championship side Queen’s Park under Philippe Clement, just a couple of months after losing the League Cup final, their struggles continued. In the Premiership, Rangers trail rivals Celtic by 13 points, with six losses and five draws from 30 league matches.
Despite these challenges, Barry Ferguson delivered two of the club’s brightest moments in just three days. First, he led Rangers to a penalty shootout win over Fenerbahçe, securing their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2022. Then, Ferguson’s side ended a five-year winless streak at Parkhead, beating Celtic 3-2 in the third Old Firm match of the season, with a late winner from Hamza Igamane. This victory lifted the spirits of supporters, momentarily overshadowing the team’s poor season.
The key now is for the players to maintain this form in the remaining matches, proving that the result wasn’t a fluke. Among those who impressed against Celtic was Nico Raskin.
Why Nico Raskin is Captain Material for Rangers
Raskin has proven his worth since returning to the first-team squad in September after a spell on the sidelines due to injury. Initially, it seemed he might struggle to regain a spot in the starting XI, with Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande forming a strong midfield partnership. However, since returning to full fitness, Raskin has arguably been Rangers’ best player. In 26 Premiership appearances, he boasts an 87% pass success rate, six big chances created, three tackles per game, and 6.5 duels won per match (59% success rate).
Against Celtic, Raskin was instrumental in Rangers’ victory, scoring from a corner after testing goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a powerful shot. Throughout the match, he controlled the tempo, working well with Diomande to stifle Celtic’s attacks. He even assisted Diomande for Rangers’ second goal. Raskin’s leadership qualities and consistent performances make him a strong candidate for captaincy once James Tavernier departs.
Why Diomande is Worth More Than Raskin
Over recent months, both Raskin and Diomande’s market values have risen due to standout performances. According to Transfermarkt, Raskin is now valued at €6.5m (£5.5m), a significant increase from his signing fee. Diomande, who was bought for £4.5m, is now worth €7m (£6m), slightly surpassing Raskin in value.
Whoever takes over at Rangers in the summer ahead of the 2025/26 season must ensure that Raskin and Diomande are deployed in their optimal roles. If this happens, next season could be much different from the current one.
Diomande, who has been a divisive figure among Rangers fans, silenced many critics with his performance against Celtic. Playing behind Cyriel Dessers in Ferguson’s 3-4-2-1 system, Diomande was given freedom to attack the Celtic defense alongside Vaclav Cerny. The 23-year-old succeeded in all of his dribbles, made a key pass, won four of six ground duels, and made two tackles. He also scored a well-taken goal to give Rangers the lead, demonstrating his potential as a key attacking threat.
Analyst John Walker praised Diomande, noting his ability to scan the pitch and maintain an impressive 96% pass completion in significant European matches. He ranks in the top 6% for pass completion, final third passes, and tackles won in the Europa League this season. These stats highlight Diomande’s potential to shine in European competition, making him a player in high demand.
As Rangers prepare for a new manager this summer, retaining key players like Raskin and Diomande will be crucial. Another season at the club could further increase their market value, offering the opportunity for Rangers to secure significant profit from their sale.
