Rangers fc forced to issue urgent statement over Nico Raskin incident at the pittodre stadium

Rangers fc forced to issue urgent statement over Nico Raskin incident at the pittodre stadium

Rangers FC found themselves at the center of controversy following their 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The match, which saw goals from Thelo Aasgaard and a James Tavernier penalty secure a crucial Scottish Premiership win for the Light Blues, was overshadowed by a post-match incident involving midfielder Nico Raskin.

As Rangers players made their way down the tunnel after the final whistle, footage captured by Sky Sports showed Raskin appearing to squirt water from a bottle toward an Aberdeen supporter standing nearby. The fan, who had been directing abuse at the visiting team, retaliated by throwing a paper cup in Raskin’s direction. The brief exchange quickly drew widespread attention and criticism from pundits and fans alike.

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd condemned the action, stating there was “no need” for Raskin to engage and that players must “rise above it,” especially in a hostile venue like Pittodrie. Chris Sutton echoed the sentiment, calling for potential punishment and highlighting that such behavior sets a poor example, drawing parallels to a previous incident involving ex-Rangers player Vaclav Cerny, who received an SFA warning for squirting water at Celtic fans.

Rangers manager Danny Röhl addressed the matter post-match, downplaying the confrontation and focusing on his team’s performance, while noting other unsavory incidents during the game, including objects thrown at Rangers players and staff by home supporters. Amid mounting media scrutiny and calls for comment, Rangers issued an urgent statement clarifying the club’s position on the episode. The statement emphasized professionalism, condemned any escalation of tensions, and reiterated that players are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times, even under provocation. It also highlighted the challenging atmosphere at Pittodrie and urged focus on the positive result that moved Rangers back to second in the table, three points behind leaders Hearts.

The incident sparked debate over player conduct in heated fixtures, with some supporters defending Raskin amid reports of missiles aimed at the away team throughout the match. As the Scottish FA reviews potential disciplinary action, the episode serves as a reminder of the intense rivalries in Scottish football and the need for composure from all involved.