A Test of Resolve for Rangers
The recent challenges faced by Rangers have often been attributed to a lack of winning mentality, a criticism that has repeatedly been directed at the club’s players during one of the most difficult periods in its history. While Nicolas Raskin and his teammates cannot be solely blamed for the club’s struggles, including only three major trophies in the last 14 seasons, they understand that changing the narrative on the pitch is essential.
Last Sunday’s 3-2 home defeat against Motherwell was another example of Rangers faltering when it seemed as though they were on the verge of taking control of the title race. This familiar scenario has led to renewed questions about the team’s character in crucial moments.
Raskin acknowledged that until the team wins a significant trophy, such doubts will persist. However, he pointed out that the team has shown resilience this season by coming back from 13 points behind to remain in contention for the title.
“Until we win a big thing, I think that’s going to always be there,” Raskin said. “But I don’t think we can talk about mentality when a team comes back from 13 points behind to a position where you can still win the title, which we have done this season.”
He emphasized that the focus should remain on improving for each game rather than being distracted by external opinions. “No matter what people say, we don’t focus on that. We just focus on how do we win the next game, how do we get better for the next game and that’s it.”
With the gap to Hearts now four points, the upcoming match against the league leaders at Tynecastle on Monday is a crucial test for Rangers. Raskin described the game as a “do-or-die” situation, stating that a win would keep them in the title race, while a loss would make it extremely challenging.
“We know it’s a do-or-die game,” he added. “Either we win it and we are in it for the title, or we lose and it’s going to be very tough. It’s very clear for everyone. We cannot hide or say anything else. It’s the case. We need to win or it’s going to be very tough for us. We all know what it’s going to take. We all know where we are and that we need to win.”
Despite missing the 2023-24 League Cup final due to injury, Raskin has become a key player for Rangers. He sees himself as a valuable asset both on the pitch and in terms of potential sell-on value. However, he remains focused on achieving success with the club.
“Winning trophies is something that I’ve been dreaming of since I came to the club,” he said. “So there’s no point saying otherwise. I was so disappointed after the last game against Motherwell, because I knew it was a big chance for us.”
He admitted that the frustration of falling short is hard to shake, but he believes the team must move forward quickly. “But you don’t have much time to be disappointed in football. It’s just about going out and winning the next game, then see what happens. I still think there are going to be lots of points dropped by the teams around us.”
Raskin also spoke about the importance of belief within the team. “If we don’t believe in ourselves, then no one else is going to believe in us. So first of all we need to believe we can do it. We know we can do it. We’ve shown it during the season. Now we have to put the last effort into the final four games and give some extra to go and get the win.”
Leadership and Legacy
Raskin is seen by many fans as a potential successor to James Tavernier as club captain. He believes that every player has a role to play in ensuring the team is prepared and motivated for the remaining games.
“I feel everyone has a part to play,” he said. “Everyone, even the ones that are a little bit quieter, they’ve got a part to play by showing the intensity in training, showing that everyone wants to win.”
He praised Tavernier for his leadership and expressed a desire to help the veteran full-back achieve a league title before he leaves. “I think Tavernier has been the best captain I could have had coming into the club. He’s been top with everyone, every time. So we’ve been discussing with the boys here that’s something we want to achieve, giving this to Tavernier.”
Preparing for the Challenge
Raskin is looking forward to the highly anticipated match against Hearts, which he expects to be intense and physically demanding. He acknowledges the strength of their opponents and the importance of being ready for the challenge.
“Hearts have had a really good season, they always find a way to win games which is what matters, especially right now,” he said. “So we know what we need to do. There is going to be fire for the first 10 or 15 minutes. It’s a game of second ball, 50-50s, fight and who’s going to be the more efficient in the box. So we are getting ready for that. We are going there to win.”
