Rangers Make Shock Summer Exit Call On Key Star: Smart Move Or Lack Of Ambition?
· Yahoo Sports
Rangers face a decision over Nicolas Raskin, with a reported agreement pointing towards a summer exit for the Belgian midfielder.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
According to Football Insider’s Keith Wyness, Rangers have accepted that Raskin could leave next summer, provided he stays committed to the current campaign. The report describes the approach as delaying the inevitable, giving the club another season from a player whose future has attracted attention.
Raskin spent much of the summer linked with a departure, and he admitted previously that he had mentally prepared himself to leave. Yet the 25-year-old stayed at Ibrox, while Rangers retained a contract that runs until 2028. Football Insider has reported that Rangers rejected approaches during the recent window and value the midfielder at more than £10 million.
Wyness believes private discussions may have helped settle the issue, with Raskin given clarity over what Rangers expect from him this season.
So far, the timing looks favourable. Rangers have beaten Celtic twice in September, winning 3-0 in the League Cup before claiming a 1-0 Premiership victory at Celtic Park. Those results have changed the mood around McInnes and placed Rangers in the title conversation. Raskin now has a strong incentive to contribute rather than allow his future to dominate the headlines.
There is a financial calculation here too. If Raskin performs consistently, Rangers can protect his market value and enter next summer from a stronger negotiating position. A poor campaign would create the opposite problem, leaving the club with a depreciating asset and fewer reasons for interested sides to pay a premium. That matters because a season can support Rangers’ title challenge and a better negotiating position once the next window opens.
Could Rangers afford to let Nicolas Raskin leave next summer?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Nicolas Raskin of Rangers is seen during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Glasgow Rangers and St. Mirren at Ibrox Stadium on September 09, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
From an Ibrox perspective, this arrangement makes sense if Raskin has decided that his next challenge lies elsewhere. Keeping an unhappy player against his wishes rarely creates the conditions needed for a title push, while a clear agreement can remove uncertainty from the dressing room.
Rangers must still protect their sporting interests. Raskin remains a 25-year-old midfielder with significant value, and replacing his minutes, ball-winning and technical quality won’t come cheap. Selling him next summer requires succession planning rather than a simple acceptance of his departure.
Rangers signed the 22-year-old centre-back Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union for about £3 million, and Football Insider reports that the club have no intention of selling him in January despite interest from major European leagues. Makhanya has quickly become a regular and impressed in both recent Old Firm wins.
That suggests a practical approach. Retain players who still have a major role, while accepting that others may seek a new challenge. For Raskin, the question isn’t whether he leaves. It’s whether Rangers can squeeze one outstanding season from him before collecting a substantial fee.
Given the title race and current mood at Ibrox, that looks like sensible squad management. But if Rangers want sustained domestic success, they cannot repeatedly treat their best performers as future sale opportunities. At some point, ambition means keeping the players who can drive it.