Glasgow Rangers are gearing up for a hectic final stretch of the summer transfer window as they aim to strengthen their squad and improve results at Ibrox.
Earlier this week, the club confirmed the signing of Bojan Miovski, who made his debut against Celtic on Sunday. The Macedonian striker, who scored 32 goals over two seasons with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership according to Transfermarkt, is expected to be a key attacking asset for manager Russell Martin.
However, central midfielder Nicolas Raskin might not be part of the squad after Monday’s transfer deadline. He was notably left out of the squad for the Celtic match, with reports from the Scottish Sun indicating this was due to issues with his conduct behind the scenes before the game. The decision to exclude him reportedly had the full support of both senior players and club staff.
The backing from players and staff implies that Raskin’s omission was a result of his own actions rather than a questionable decision by the manager.
Why Nicolas Raskin Could Be Heading Out of Rangers
It was recently revealed that Nicolas Raskin’s father, Thierry, posted a critical message on Facebook before deleting it, though media outlets managed to capture the content. Sport Witness shared a translation of the post, where Thierry criticized the coach for dropping eight players from last season’s Europa League quarter-final squad and bringing in eight new players he supposedly knows well. He also took aim at someone with a “big ego” who thinks they can play in the Champions League, calling the situation “incredible” in the football world.
If this report is accurate, it doesn’t bode well for Raskin’s future at Ibrox beyond the transfer window. Adding to the speculation, TEAMtalk has reported that Premier League clubs West Ham, Burnley, and Wolves are all interested in the £15 million-rated midfielder.
Looking at Raskin’s stats from last season, he delivered strong defensive performances for Rangers in both the Scottish Premiership and Europa League, with high numbers in tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries. According to Sofascore, he appeared in 33 Premiership matches and 12 Europa League games, maintaining solid duel success rates.
Beyond his defensive work, the Belgium international also contributed four goals and ten assists in the Premiership under managers Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson. Despite these impressive displays, the off-field issues, his exclusion from the Celtic game, Premier League interest, and his father’s comments all suggest that Raskin’s time at Rangers might be coming to an end.
Rangers Target Key Player from Championship
Amid the ongoing speculation surrounding Nicolas Raskin, it’s no surprise that Rangers are reportedly aiming to bring in another midfielder. Journalist Alan Nixon revealed on his Patreon that Glasgow Rangers are keen to make a last-minute move for Norwich City captain Kenny McLean before the transfer deadline.
Nixon suggests that the Scottish club want to sign the 33-year-old central midfielder to strengthen their midfield and help ‘organize their disorganized team,’ as he described it. However, he also notes that Norwich are keen to retain the Scotland international, who featured in their recent 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, making the transfer potentially challenging.
McLean has one year remaining on his contract at Carrow Road, with an option to extend for another year, meaning Rangers might need to pay a significant fee to secure his services.
Reasons Rangers Need to Sign Kenny McLean
As long as Rangers don’t have to spend a fortune to bring the 33-year-old Kenny McLean to Ibrox, he would be a smart signing that could allow the club to cash in on Nicolas Raskin.
The timing of the situation with Raskin so close to the transfer deadline isn’t ideal, as it leaves little time for Rangers to find a perfect long-term replacement. Signing McLean on a two-year deal could serve as an effective short-term fix, giving Rangers the chance to sell Raskin before Monday’s deadline and avoid any further disruption, especially given the recent reports about his behavior behind the scenes.
This approach would also give the recruitment team ample time to scout and secure a long-term midfield option ahead of the January transfer window or next summer.
McLean’s recent performances for Norwich in the Championship suggest he would be a great short-term replacement for Raskin. He’s a combative central midfielder who also contributes creativity with the ball.
Looking at his stats over the past two seasons, McLean consistently disrupts opponents with tackles and interceptions while winning most of his physical duels traits that could benefit Rangers’ struggling defense.
The left-footed midfielder brings composure in possession and has already demonstrated creativity this season, including a notable assist for Josh Sargent against Middlesbrough. His ability to play precise passes over the top could be particularly valuable for setting up striker Bojan Miovski, especially in European fixtures where space behind the defense is more common.
Combining his defensive qualities with his playmaking skills, it’s easy to see why Rangers are reportedly keen on making a last-minute move for the Norwich captain, potentially paving the way for Raskin’s exit.
