Rangers have struck gold on “complete” star who is worth more than Raskin

Glasgow Rangers are heading for their worst domestic season in years. Knocked out of the Scottish Cup under Philippe Clement by Championship side Queen’s Park came just a couple of months after losing the League Cup final.

In the Premiership, the Ibrox side trail rivals Celtic by 13 points, having lost six and drawn five of their 30 league games so far this season.

Despite this underwhelming campaign, Barry Ferguson delivered two of the club’s finest moments just three days apart.

Firstly, he led the Gers to a penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahçe, leading the club to the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time since 2022.

Secondly, he ended their five-year Parkhead hoodoo on Sunday afternoon, with the Light Blues triumphing in the third Old Firm clash of the season, winning 3-2 courtesy of a late winner by Hamza Igamane.

When his effort hit the back of the net, it was a moment of pure inspiration, with the vast majority of the supporters forgetting all about the dismal season at that point.

The key thing now is for the players to carry this sort of form into the remaining few games, proving that the result isn’t a flash in the pan.

Several players proved their worth against Celtic, none more so than Nico Raskin.

Why Nico Raskin is captain material for Rangers

Raskin has stepped up to the plate for Rangers since making his return to the first-team squad back in September after missing the first few weeks of the season due to injury.

It looked as though Raskin would have to force his way back into the starting XI, especially as Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande were beginning to form a solid partnership in the heart of the midfield.

Since returning to full fitness, however, the Belgian has arguably been the club’s best player. Across 26 Premiership matches, Raskin has an 87% pass success rate

, while also creating six big chances, making three tackles per game and winning 6.5 total duels per match – a success rate of 59% – in the league.

Against Celtic on Sunday, Raskin made sure the Gers wouldn’t return to Ibrox empty-handed. After testing Kasper Schmeichel with a fizzing shot early on, he subsequently scored from the resulting corner.

Throughout the clash, the 24-year-old dictated the game, working well with Diomande at the heart of the midfield, giving Celtic no time to create anything in the first half.

The Belgian even assisted his midfield partner for the second Rangers goal and this duo could be one to star for the Light Blues over the next few years, that’s for sure.

Raskin certainly exudes plenty of qualities that would make him a fine captain for the club, especially when James Tavernier finally leaves the club.

It is Diomande, however, who perhaps has the attributes to be the most important player for the Ibrox side next season and beyond.

Why Diomande is worth more than Raskin

Over the past few months, both midfielders have seen their market valuations soar due to some impressive displays.

According to Transfermarkt, Raskin is now worth €6.5m (£5.5m), which is a massive rise from what the club paid to sign him in January 2023.

Diomande – who cost the Gers £4.5m last January – is now worth slightly more than his partner in midfield, with the Ivorian star now worth €7m (£6m), which is marginally more than Raskin.

Whoever takes over Rangers in the summer ahead of 2025/26 must utilise these two players in their best positions. If so, then the next term could be a lot different to the current one.

Diomande may have been a Jekyll and Hyde-like figure among the Ibrox faithful, with some not convinced of his talents, but his display against Celtic has certainly proved the doubters wrong.

Operating behind Cyriel Dessers in Ferguson’s 3-4-2-1 system, Diomande was given free rein to work alongside Vaclav Cerny in using his running power to have a go at the Celtic defence.

Indeed, the midfielder starlet succeeded with 100% of his dribbles, made one key pass, won four of his six ground duels contested and made two tackles, contributing whether or not his side had the ball.

He scored the second goal for Rangers with a well-taken effort, proving that he can be a key threat in the opposition penalty area.

Overall, it was a sublime performance by the 23-year-old, who has a bright future in the game. That’s a certainty.

Analyst John Walker hailed the midfielder last week, saying: “Scanning is an absolute basic in football but the regularity in which you do it is what can stop a player going beyond SPFL level.

“This basic skill-set, often overlooked, is exactly what can leave you with a 96% pass completion in a massive European tie. Add to that, calm & composed on the ball with the aggression to work off the ball and you have a pretty complete midfielder.”

When compared to his positional peers in the Europa League this season, Diomande ranks in the top 6% for pass completion percentage (82.6%) along with ranking in the top 6% for passes into the final third (4.21) and in the top 14% for tackles won (1.53) per 90.

These statistics showcase his ability to shine in European competition, which will naturally see the player attract interest from elsewhere.

This summer, a new manager will be appointed at Rangers. There are plenty of things to focus on ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but the most important aspect will be to retain his key players.

This includes Raskin and Diomande. Another season at the club could see their market valuations continue to soar, while also allowing the Gers the perfect chance of securing significant profit on the duo.