Nicolas Raskin, born a dreary mid-winter’s day in 2001, finds himself plying his trade in the harsh, unforgiving realms of Scottish football, while the rest of us curse our feeble fortune. This Belgian midfielder, typical in his unfailing competence, is carving out a career at Rangers, dutifully fulfilling his central defensive obligations like a good soldier, standing tall, all 5ft 10in (1.78m) of him, and weighing in at a steady 11st 9lb (74kg). For any collectors of meaningless trivia out there - Raskin dons the number 43 jersey, no doubt seeking to etch that piecemeal figure into the annals of footballing lore.
Some poor soul has calculated Raskin's market value at a hefty £6m, according to Transfermarkt. His current contract, perhaps penned in a fit of wild optimism, is set to expire on 31 May 2027. How sweet to be locked into such a fruitful relationship for a few more precious years.
The illustrious stages of Raskin's career included a stint at Gent in the Pro League of Belgium, beginning in 2017. He must've made quite the impression, managing to step onto the pitch all of once in his debut season. The thrill of it, eh?
By 2019, Raskin mustered the strength to change scenery, sloping off to Standard Liege, the fee, sagely undisclosed. Who could put a price on such a gem, after all?
During his blossoming years in Standard Liege, dear Raskin sporadically graced the pitch. He totted up 29 appearances in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, each garnished with a singular goal. The following 2022-2023 season was cut short, just 17 appearances, but blessed with another goal. One goal per season, he's nothing if not consistent.
January 2023 was a landmark. A £1.5m transfer to Rangers, where he's been plugging away since. His record: 30 appearances and two whole goals in his current season. Oh, and let us not forget the odd cup match and Europa League appearance, he even managed to find the back of the net once. A renaissance man, truly.
