The Belgian international is approaching the final 18 months of his contract in Glasgow
16:01, 26 Nov 2025
(Image: SNS Group)
Nico Raskin has told Rangers he’s open to signing a new long-term deal at Ibrox. The Belgian International – and the club’s most prized asset – has just 18 months left on his current contract.
With the World Cup on the horizon next summer, Raskin’s future will come to a head. If Rangers want to cash in on the midfielder, they would need to look to sell him in January or at the end of the season.
But the 24-year-old – who was bombed out of the Gers squad by previous gaffer Russell Martin – insists he’d be willing to extend his stay in Glasgow. And Raskin is adamant that IF he does leave Ibrox he wants the club to get the money they deserve.
Ahead of Rangers’ Europa League clash with Braga, when asked if he’d like to stay, the Belgium star said: “Yeah, obviously I’m very happy here. We’ve got a new manager and we’re trying to build something good and nice.
“We’ve got loads of things to do and I’m really happy here. I’m not deciding anything. I’m just waiting for anyone to come and talk to me. I’m taking it day by day and trying to give my best for the club.”
And when asked how important it is to him that he doesn’t run his contract down and eventually leave Ibrox on a Bosman, Raskin was unequivocal. He said: “It is. I know people will think about how I left my old club (Standard Liege) but there has never been a thought about that.
“If I have to leave here, I want everybody to be happy and to leave in a good way. It doesn’t depend on me. I’m just waiting to see what’s going to happen for me.
“But there’s nothing on my side saying I want to leave for free. I don’t want that. This club has given me a lot, they’ve helped me go to the national team and show myself on a good stage.
“So if I can give back everything I can, I’ll try to do that. At my old club, I didn’t leave for free because I decided. When we were negotiating a contract, a few players were in the same situation.
“We changed the board at the club, there was a problem with the timing and by then it was too close to the end. If I could have signed and made it different, I would have. But it was difficult at the time.
“People might think I’ve done it before and will go down that road again but that’s not what happened. I want to make that clear.”
Raskin was signed by ex-Gers boss Michael Beale in January 2023 for a nominal fee. He’s a fans’ favourite at Ibrox but earlier in this campaign it looked like his time at the club was up.
Martin controversially axed him from his squad for an Old Firm derby against Celtic – claiming the decision was backed by senior players. The former manager, who was sacked after just 123 days into the job, accused Raskin of having his head turned by transfer speculation.
Even after a reconciliation, the midfielder missed another game against Hearts before eventually being reinstated. Raskin admits it was one of the toughest moments in his Rangers career and believes a false image of him was created.
Speaking for the first time in several months to Scottish media, he reflected on a turbulent relationship with Martin. He said: “It was difficult, I can’t lie. It was really difficult for me during that period.
Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin (R) with head coach Russell Martin(Image: SNS Group)
“I’m still trying to get back to my best form, whether that’s physically or mentally. It’s not been great and I’ve not enjoyed parts of it.
“I’ve read a lot of wrong stuff here and there but I had to be quiet and just try my best to get back playing and helping the team.
“Now, I’m just looking forward and I’m talking with the manager about how I can improve my game.
“There was a point where it was tough and I had a clear indication that my future here was in doubt. But that’s in the past. I’ve had loads of support here from the players and the staff.
“Everyone in the building was really good with me in terms of helping me keep my focus and my head here.
“There was a picture that was painted of me that, at the time, wasn’t what was happening in the building.
“But I don’t need to go back there. We’re trying to build something new and look forward.
“I’m not someone who likes to be headlining the dramas. I just want to do my job and help the team as much as I can.”
Throughout all of that drama – as well as the fact Rangers were struggling for results – the Ibrox support backed Raskin.
In the fight with Martin, there was only one winner in their eyes as they chanted his name even while he sat in the stands.
The Belgian hasn’t forgotten how they treated him and now wants to give them something back with Danny Rohl now in charge.
He said: “The support from the fans was the biggest part of it. They were so good with me.
“I was talking with my family and saying it’s amazing to have that support when you’re not from this city and you’re someone from abroad.
“Hearing that was amazing. That’s why I kept really calm and didn’t leave. I just stayed here and waited for my time to come back.
“Now I’m just trying to give them something back on the pitch. I know it’s not been perfect but I’m trying to get my form back and thank them on my way.”
