Michael Beale and Rangers stars react to Nicolas Raskin’s actions away from Ibrox.

Michael Beale and Rangers figures react as Nicolas Raskin enjoys another Belgium highlight.

Nicolas Raskin continues to strengthen his reputation in Belgium, and his latest international performance has once again placed the Rangers midfielder firmly in the spotlight.

The former Standard Liege player arrived at Ibrox with plenty of potential, but he has gradually developed into one of Rangers’ most dependable midfielders. His defensive awareness, energy and ability to control the middle of the pitch have helped him establish himself as a key figure for both club and country.

Raskin started alongside Youri Tielemans as Belgium defeated Italy 2-0, producing another impressive display after two strong performances against Celtic. His consistency at international level is particularly significant because he is competing with some of Belgium’s most established midfielders for a regular place.

Michael Beale was among those to show appreciation for Raskin’s latest achievement, with the former Rangers manager liking photographs shared after Belgium’s victory. Former Rangers players Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara were also noticed among those reacting, underlining the respect Raskin has earned from people connected with his time at Ibrox.

The midfielder’s journey has been especially interesting because there was considerable uncertainty about his Rangers future during the summer transfer window. His performances in North America had generated plenty of attention, leading to speculation that a significant offer could tempt Rangers into selling him before the deadline.

There was talk that any interested club would need to offer more than £20 million before Rangers would seriously consider discussions. Despite the speculation, however, no major bid arrived that forced the Scottish club to make a decision.

At one stage, Rangers manager Derek McInnes left Raskin out of several squads while transfer uncertainty continued. With the window now closed, the Belgian has returned to the team and appears determined to make up for lost time.

His performances could hardly have been more convincing. Raskin played a prominent role in Rangers’ victories over Celtic before carrying that form onto the international stage. His display in Belgium’s win over Italy has only increased attention surrounding his future.

Raskin also shared his reaction to the victory on Instagram, keeping his message short and simple. “A great night in Italy,” he wrote.

His post quickly attracted responses from teammates and fellow Rangers players. Minsu Kim referred to him as “brother”, while Ivor Pandur responded with a flexing-arm emoji. The interaction reflects the strong relationships developing within the Rangers dressing room, particularly between Raskin and some of the club’s newer arrivals.

There was also interest from Besiktas late in the transfer window. Some supporters of the Turkish club even appealed to Raskin through the comments on his social media post. However, their initial proposal, understood to be a loan offer, was rejected by Rangers.

With two years remaining on his Rangers contract, Raskin’s immediate focus can now be on establishing himself as an important player at Ibrox. His performances suggest he has plenty of motivation to do exactly that.

International football is another important part of the equation. Raskin faces strong competition for Belgium, with players such as Kevin De Bruyne among the established stars competing for places. Continuing to perform regularly for Rangers and producing strong displays for Belgium will be crucial if he wants to maintain his position in the national team.

For Rangers, there is also an obvious financial dimension. If Raskin continues to perform at this level, serious interest from major European clubs could eventually return. However, consistent football and success at Ibrox would likely be central to increasing his value and attracting substantial offers.

Rangers have already enjoyed an encouraging period under McInnes. They eliminated Celtic from the Premier Sports Cup and will return to Hampden for the semi-finals next month. In the Scottish Premiership, their early advantage over Celtic has also narrowed to two points, keeping the title race highly competitive.

For Raskin, the timing could hardly be better. He is playing regularly again, producing impressive performances for Rangers and earning opportunities with Belgium.

The midfielder’s task now is simple: maintain the same standards. If he continues to combine defensive discipline with energy and composure in midfield, speculation about his future is unlikely to disappear.

The biggest challenge will be sustaining that level across an entire campaign. Raskin has already shown that he can respond to uncertainty with performances on the pitch, and Rangers will hope that the international recognition gives him even greater confidence. His development also provides McInnes with another valuable option as the club balances domestic ambitions with the demands of cup competition and the pressure of challenging Celtic for honours this season.

For the moment, Rangers can enjoy having one of their most important midfielders back in form, while Raskin can concentrate on building on an international night that further enhanced his growing reputation.