Rangers have some big decisions to make in the transfer market as the club braces for a 49ers Enterprises-led takeover.
Rangers are on the verge of a US buyout led by healthcare mogul Andrew Cavenagh and Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises.
With huge decisions to be made even before the summer transfer window – with Mark Guidi tipping Barry Ferguson to be appointed manager BEFORE the takeover – there is much discussion over the biggest assets in the Rangers squad.
Barry Ferguson has waxed lyrical about Vaclav Cerny, the Wolfsburg loanee a stand-out performer at Ibrox this season.
Rangers want to sign Cerny permanently but they’re not the only ones.
Hamza Igamane impressed with Morocco and has also been the subject of admiring glances.
But it’s the situation with Nicolas Raskin that has got the Open Goal panel talking with James McFadden the voice of reason and sending a transfer warning to the club’s prospective new US owners.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Nicolas Raskin a top Rangers performer
One of the first things the 49ers must do after takeover is bring Nicolas Raskin to the negotiating table with a new contract essential to stave off interest.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
Raskin impressed with Belgium during the international break and has been one of the Ibrox side’s most consistent performers this season.
Barry Ferguson reckons Raskin has elite qualities and can one day hope to play at the highest level.
Such is the nature of the beast at Rangers, the club knows they must sell players at their peak after fluffing their lines with the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
But in an excitable debate on the midfielder’s future, James McFadden claims the ambitions of the club’s new honours would be brought into question if US execs sold the club’s best player after the Rangers takeover.
The former Scotland international has also warned that selling Nico Raskin sends the wrong message to others in the squad.
James McFadden in 49ers Nicolas Raskin warning
Derek Ferguson started the discussion by claiming Rangers had initially disappointed him by claiming he wanted to move to England when he first joined Rangers.
Nico had claimed his ‘dream’ is to play for Chelsea, with the Rangers nerves rising over the English transfer window opening early for the FIFA Club World Cup.
”Initially when he first came in he disappointed me because he said he was using Rangers as a stepping stone to England,” Ferguson said.
”His form dipped a wee bit and he picked up an injury but he’s shown how good he is, he’s away with the Belgium side playing out his skin. A lot of rave reviews.
”Listen, Rangers have made mistakes in the past so if there is top money coming in…”
Simon Ferry then interrupted the brother of Rangers manager Barry Ferguson: “Rangers should be looking to sell players like this shouldn’t they? This should be the model.”
Derek Ferguson: “It’s about getting the balance right.”
Gordon Dalziel chimed in: “I don’t think he’ll go this year.”
Derek Ferguson responded: “This is where at Rangers you need people who are making decisions at the right time. You want to maximise what you can get for him. That’s the balance.”
James McFadden then entered the discussion and gave an interesting point of view regarding the impending Rangers takeover.
“But is it the right time though?” McFadden asked.
Si Ferry: “I think it is the right time. 100%. That’s his peak.”
James McFadden: ”Do you think he’s only going to play one game for Belgium?”
Si Ferry: “No but I think people will now look at it and go he can play at that level of football.”
James McFadden: ”I’m not saying it’s not the right time for teams to look at him and say ‘he can do well for me’.
”I’m saying is it the right time for Rangers to be looking to sell him?”
Si Ferry: “Do you think they can get more in a year’s time?”
Gordon Dalziel: “Aye, I agree with that.”
James McFadden: “Potentially and obviously his form could tail off but I am more thinking about, Rangers are not in a good place at the minute. They need to build something.
”Straight away building are you going to sell the player who has been the best player for you. What are you saying in terms of your ambition?”
Simon Ferry: “Have Celtic not done that in the past as well Faddy and still been alright?”
James McFadden: “I think they’ve done it from a position of strength. I don’t think that this is the right (time).”
McFadden then explained that it’s not just about ambition or squad building, but the sale of Raskin would also send the wrong message to the likes of Cerny about the direction the club is heading.
”When you look at it and say ‘right, Raskin’s been amazing this season. He has, he’s been brilliant. Right what we’ll do is cash in.’” McFadden explains.
“Because then you right, well you’re trying to build something. If you’re a Diomande, if you’re a Cerny you’re trying to sign, he’s like ‘I’m not coming’.“