It’s not just injury which has Nicolas Raskin’s Chelsea dream on standby as a resurgent Ryan Jack and John Lundstram stake their Rangers claim.
There is some confusion surrounding the injury status of Nicolas Raskin, with manager Philippe Clement crossing his fingers regarding the severity of the issue
Last touching on the situation after the 2-1 victory over Hearts – where the Belgian midfielder appeared to land awkwardly on his ankle – Clement claimed the club were awaiting the outcome of a scan.
This was after Nicolas Raskin was painfully stretchered off in the late Scottish Premiership victory.
Having not kicked a ball for the team since, it’s unclear if Nicolas Raskin will return from injury after the international break but when he does he might find it hard to reclaim his Rangers place.
Regarded as one of the biggest assets in the Rangers squad, former Standard Liege star Nicolas Raskin is the club’s latest injury casualty.
Having been given some fresh impetus under manager Philippe Clement, the midfielder looked to be living up to his early promise and even opened his Rangers account with a goal against Hibs in October.
But as the club look to get the 22-year-old back into the Rangers squad, the resurgence of John Lundstram and Ryan Jack has certainly left everyone at Ibrox with some food for thought.
John Lundstram in particular looks to have regained that extra sense of urgency and athleticism that had everyone in Govan claiming he was the “Best on Earth” in the run to the Europa League Final.
Lundstam might even win himself a new contract in the process too.
Ryan Jack, having finally shaken off his latest run of injury problems, has also looked more like his old, assured self in the middle of the park and the duo are standing out at the moment.
Similarly, Jacko has made it clear he wants to stick around next season whilst he hasn’t been shy in praising his midfield partner John Lundstram either.
With a run of 12 games in 37 days on the horizon, anyone who is passed fit enough in the Rangers squad will get their chance to impress but it’s these two who are quickly emerging as the reliable kingpins in Philippe Clement’s energetic and aggressive side.
Fitness – or a lack of it – has been at the very crux of Rangers’ recent issues but with John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Nicolas Raskin all vying for a place there is healthy competition returning to the side after a period of injury problems.
Throw in the return of Ecuadorean international Jose Cifuentes – the World Cup star still to show his best at Rangers – and suddenly we look well stocked between the number 6s and 8s.
Nicolas Raskin has been clear that he views Rangers as a stepping stone to the Premier League with Chelsea the club this ambitious young midfielder has in his sights.
But with Rangers’ old guard John Lundstram and Ryan Jack staking their claim for a regular place, a mixture of injury and competition has certainly put that dream on hold for now.
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