Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin received a mix of praise and criticism for his late appearance in Belgium’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Wales on Friday. The Ibrox star entered the match in the 75th minute, shortly after Belgium had let a three-goal lead slip.
Kevin De Bruyne eventually rescued Rudi Garcia’s side, with the win placing Belgium third in Group J of the World Cup Qualifiers — three points behind Wales as of 9 June. However, Belgium has only played twice so far and could top the group if they win their next two fixtures, meaning all hope is far from lost.
Mixed Reactions to Raskin’s Performance
Raskin has been a standout performer for Rangers this season, shining individually even as the team endured a turbulent campaign. His impressive domestic form caught the attention of Belgium boss Garcia, who gave him his international debut with a short cameo against Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League on 20 March.
He followed that up with a strong full debut in the return fixture, playing 89 minutes in a 3-0 win. On 6 June, he completed the full match in a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia. However, in the Wales clash, he was limited to just 15 minutes on the pitch.
Despite the short appearance, Raskin drew some positive attention, with Voetbal 24 highlighting the praise he received: “Amid the excitement over De Bruyne, many also noted Raskin’s display. Some even called him the ‘absolute goat.’”
Yet, not all feedback was flattering. Nieuwsblad gave a more critical assessment, writing, “He tried to bring some composure and issued instructions, but it wasn’t enough to change the course of the game,” assigning him a 5/10 rating.
Premier League Clubs Circle as Rangers Face Raskin Battle
The 24-year-old tallied four goals and 10 assists in the recent season for Rangers, form that has not only earned him a place in the Belgium squad but also attracted attention from English Premier League clubs, including Leeds United and Aston Villa.
New Rangers boss Russell Martin is eager to keep Raskin at the heart of his midfield plans. However, whether that’s achievable is uncertain. Given the growing interest in the Belgian, Rangers may need to offer a lucrative new contract to have any chance of keeping him at Ibrox beyond the summer.
