Rangers manager Derek McInnes confirms midfielder Nicolas Raskin remains a squad member amid ongoing transfer interest, noting that no formal bids meeting the club’s valuation have arrived as the transfer deadline approaches ahead of Tuesday night’s match against Falkirk.
Nicolas Raskin Transfer Stance and Squad Omission
The 25-year-old midfielder, who impressed at the World Cup, joined Rangers in January 2023 and enters the final two years of his contract this summer.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland earlier today, McInnes addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding the player’s status and confirmed that the club had not yet received a concrete offer matching their valuation, noting that as of earlier this morning no bid had reached the club that met their valuation.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of chat about potential interest and there’s been a lot of conversations had with the club and prospective buyers. But, until an offer comes in that the club need to consider, Nico just has to knuckle down and train.”
Derek McInnes, Rangers manager
The manager added that if the window closes and Nico is still a Rangers player, then he will give brilliant service as he has previously.
Incoming Strikers and Squad Adjustments at Ibrox
While exits remain possible before Thursday’s deadline, Rangers are actively working to finalize attacking reinforcements. Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy underwent a medical yesterday ahead of a proposed £9million move from Portland Timbers. The 22-year-old forward appears to be the Ibrox club’s choice as a replacement for Youssef Chermiti, who suffered a long-term injury last month just as the Portuguese was subject of major transfer interest.
McInnes noted that signing another forward was not something we were looking to do initially, requiring the club to weigh everything up both from a financial and a numbers point of view in terms of the squad.
“We’re still working hard to get one in at the minute. We’re getting closer on that one, but we believe it’s only going to be the one in.”
Derek McInnes, Rangers manager
Rangers have already signed 12 players this summer in addition to recruiting McInnes himself from Heart of Midlothian. McInnes stated that if we can get the one in that we want, it certainly helps alleviate a problem we’ve got at the minute and helps alleviate the disappointment of Youssef’s injury.
Debut Impressiveness and Outgoing Interest in Key Assets
On the pitch, Rangers picked up their first win of the Premiership campaign with a 1-0 triumph away at Aberdeen at Pittodrie. New arrival Kim Min-su delivered an impressive debut performance deployed in a No. 10 role behind striker Lawrence Shankland and flanked by Djeidi Gassama and Findlay Curtis, while winger Gassama earned “first class” praise from McInnes after winning the penalty kick that led to Shankland’s winner.
Gassama’s standout performance drew attention from RB Salzburg, who are managed by former Rangers boss Danny Rohl, and Monaco in his homeland, as he is one of Rangers’ most valuable assets. The Ibrox exit door is likely to be busier before Thursday’s deadline, with Lyall Cameron being strongly linked with Dundee United and Raskin, winger Ross McCausland, striker Bojan Miovski, and defenders John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala among others linked with moves away.
Top five leagues will see their windows close today, to meet UEFA regulations for European competitions, with the cut-off for squad confirmations tomorrow, while Rangers are able to sign players until 5pm on Thursday. McInnes stated that there may well be things developing over the next 24-48 hours on the outgoing and incoming fronts.
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