Pundit claims Rangers star has played his last game at Ibrox and he's better than £25m-rated Celtic ace
Premier League new boys Hull City are interested in the Gers man
Former Rangers man Andy Halliday believes current sought after midfielder Nico Raskin will be headed for the exit door this summer, while claiming he’s a ‘better player’ than £25m Arne Engels.
Raskin is being monitored by Hull City, as well as European sides Real Betis, Atalanta and Bologna. The 25-year old has been a mainstay at Ibrox over the past few seasons and has now attracted a new audience through his performances for Belgium at the World Cup, having featured in every game of their run to the quarter finals where they will face Spain on Friday night.
As new Rangers boss Derek McInnes looks for midfielder reinforcements including Lewis Ferguson, Vanja Dragojevic and Jens Hjerto-Dahl, an Ibrox exit for Raskin looks increasing likely. Pundit Halliday believes Rangers can cash in on him and should try and get somewhere close to what Engels’ valuation is. The Celtic midfielder was not chosen in Belgium’s World Cup squad but has been linked with a £25m move to Nottingham Forest.
Halliday predicts Raskin is on the way out
Speaking on Open Goal, the former Hearts and Motherwell man said: “I think he’s (Raskin) played his last game for Rangers. I think he would've left anyway, but after a good World Cup he'll have better options. I think Raskin's a better player than Engels. Nottingham Forest bid £25million for Engels. I don't think Rangers would get £25million for Raskin, but you're trying to push it as much as you possibly can."
Natural comparisons have always been made between the Belgian box-to-box central midfielders either side of the Old Firm, however with Engels being three years younger, Celtic are likely to gain more for him than Rangers are for Raskin. The Hoops can now also try to take advantage of the financial power of Forest, who just secured around £20m from Manchester City for Elliot Anderson.
What’s next for Raskin?
Speaking alongside Halliday on the podcast was another ex Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson. He thinks the Premier League would be a natural progression for the Belgian. He added: "I think Premier League because it's a great platform for him and he's showed up well. It was a stepping stone, but Rangers supporters shouldn't take that as an insult because that happens."
A move for Raskin could free up some financial resources for Ferguson’s son, Lewis, who’s been linked with a move to the club both his father and uncle Barry played for. Bologna value their skipper at around £17m, which would be a record incoming transfer fee for the Light Blues. A double deal for Dragojevic and Hjerto-Dahl is also on the cards, which could set the club back around £13m.