Rabiu Aminu‘Rangers to sell Nicolas Raskin’ with James Tavernier replacement needed now
Nicolas Raskin has struggled to recreate his best form at Rangers this season.
Raskin has been flying for Belgium and was head and shoulders above everyone at Ibrox last term, but Danny Rohl hasn’t seen that yet.Rangers beat Motherwell 1-0 on Saturday, but will need to beat Celtic at Parkhead next week to keep their slim Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
Mentality has been called into question several times, with experienced players like James Tavernier and Jack Butland making several errors.
That could be addressed as early as January, starting with Raskin.
Nicolas Raskin to start busy Rangers January
Gary Keown believes that Raskin being sold could fund a massive rebuild, starting with the likes of Tavernier and Butland taking a back seat.
Writing in the Scottish Mail on Sunday, the outspoken journalist admits that massive changes are needed at every level of Ibrox.
“Rohl has made an okay start and understands work needs done early in the January market, but too much surgery is needed on that squad of players,” Keown said.
“Big characters such as James Tavernier and Jack Butland need replaced, while it looks like the club will have to cash in on their one sellable asset, Nico Raskin, poor this term anyway, and reinvest the fee to begin again.
“Surgery has to be conducted behind doors as well.”
Read More: Nicolas Raskin transfer reality emerges at Rangers after £13m development
Who could replace Jack Butland?
Sheffield Wednesday sensation Pierce Charles is the obvious choice.
Rohl has personally asked Rangers chiefs to sign Charles in January, so that is certainly one to watch in the coming weeks, with the window opening on Thursday.
With massive financial problems and points deductions at Hillsborough this season, relegation to League One is a certainty, opening the door to this deal.Charles is a full Northern Ireland international and has been catching the eye of Premier League clubs in England, so this would be a really smart coup, potentially at a bargain price too.
Charles could replace Butland for the next 10 years at Ibrox, and with Rohl in place too, he would surely favour this move over any other possible destination next month.
After Kevin Thelwell was sacked for spending millions in all the wrong areas over the summer, it is time to kickstart January with a smart deal, something not seen for quite some time in Govan.
January could be busier than the summer to fix that mess, but let’s hope it gets Rangers back on track for a push at the Scottish Premiership title again.
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