Rangers reach agreement to sign “aggressive” partner for Raskin
Rangers reach agreement to sign “aggressive” partner for Raskin
After the winter break, Glasgow Rangers won their first domestic match, defeating Dumbarton 4-1 in the Scottish Cup.
In order to gain game fitness following their various ailments, players like Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic received crucial
minutes off the bench as Philippe Clement produced a formidable lineup against the Sons.
Even though Clement’s team faces Hibernian on Wednesday night in a crucial Premiership match, he will be trying to s
trengthen his team before the January transfer window closes the following week.
Many names have been linked with a move to Ibrox over the previous three weeks,
yet only Fabio Silva has joined the club, arriving on a short-term loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Could there be a breakthrough concerning Clement’s second signing, however?
Indeed, it appears the club have reached an agreement with a talented midfielder according to recent reports.
Rangers’ search for new signings
It is no secret that Clement is looking to bolster his options across various positions, with the heart of the midfield being one of them.
He has the luxury to call on the likes of John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin, Jose Cifuentes and Kieran Dowell, yet
injury issues have sidelined a number of these players throughout the campaign.
This has allowed Clement to go out and get a player or two for Rangers, and it appears like Mohamed Diomande, a
midfielder, is headed to Scotland.
The Nordsjaelland starlet is returning from their mid-season training camp in America, according to Danish media BT, after
going to Scotland to have an agreement struck between the two clubs for him to have a medical at the Ibrox side.
The report does not state how much the player will cost the Gers, but it could prove to be a very wise investment considering
how vital he has been for the Danish side over the previous four years.
The Belgian coach has no shortage of options at the heart of his midfield, but Diomande and Raskin could form a wonderful
partnership in the middle of the pitch across the next few years.
Nico Raskin’s season in numbers
The former Standard Liege gem joined the Light Blues last January under Michael Beale and it was clear after a few games
that he had all the required attributes to shine in Scotland.
His tenacious nature combined with his ability to push forward as often as possible have ensured he has a bright future at
the club and he shone during his first six months in the Premiership.
Indeed, Raskin finished the 2022/23 season ranked sixth among the squad for successful dribbles per game (0.9) and third
for tackles per game (1.8) as he settled into the first team rather well. It looked like it was a sign of things to come.
Because of injury, he has missed 17 games this season, which has forced Clement to frequently switch up his midfield players.
Raskin still ranks top for tackles per game (2.7) and eighth for accurate passes per game (39.4) despite missing a significant
number of games, indicating the combative attitude the team sorely needed in their engine room.
| Nico Raskin’s domestic statistics at Rangers | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Accurate passes per game | 42.7 | 39.4 |
| Key passes per game | 0.6 | 1 |
| Successful dribbles per game | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Tackles per game | 1.8 | 2.7 |
| Total duels won per game | 4.3 | 5 |
| Via Sofascore | ||
Having a reliable partner alongside him could take his game to new heights and luring Diomande from Denmark to Scotland
could allow Clement to form a wonderful duo.
Mohamed Diomande’s numbers in Denmark
The 22-year-old made his debut during the 2019/20 season and has since racked up 111 appearances for the Danish side, an
impressive tally for someone so young.
During that time, he has showcased his attacking abilities by scoring 13 goals and grabbing 14 assists, proving he is more
than able to burst forward with ease and provide a reliable goal threat – something which Rangers need from the heart of the
midfield.
But this is not his only strength; as his numbers from the 2023–24 season thus far show, the Ivorian, like Raskin, can also
contribute successfully on defense and has excellent passing ability.
Diomande has shown his all-around skill in 13 league games, with a phenomenal 89% pass success rate each game, 1.1
critical passes every match, and 1.4 tackles each time out. These stats might make him a hit at the Rangers.
Mohamed Diomande’s style of play
Analyst John Walker profiled the young midfielder on X amid the rumours that the club had agreed a deal to bring him to Scotland,
stating that Diomande is an “aggressive tackle and carrier” while going on to say that he “absolutely loves the physical nature
of the midfield”. As a result, having someone like this could only benefit Raskin.
It is clear that he loves arriving late and getting into the box in order to score and assist, while the Rangers target is “a very
strong ball carrier and forward-thinking passer” according to Kai Watson, founder of the Rangers Journal.
These qualities are badly needed at the club just now, as the midfield has gone slightly stale and it is in clear need of a refresh ahead of the second half of the season.
Raskin could concentrate on his defensive responsibilities while Diomande, who has the freedom to make those last-minute
dashes into the offensive penalty area and provide the team another attacking option, would inject some energy into the
starting lineup.
Thus far, every indication suggests that this is a guy who is prepared to transfer to Glasgow and who wouldn’t appear the
least bit put out by the prospect of playing for one of the biggest teams in the country.
His presence might serve as a spark for the signing of additional gifted young players from places like Scandinavia, which
would help Clement set up an appropriate player trading scheme.
While Ibrox could well be a stepping stone for the 6-foot gem, there is no doubt if he shines at the club, Premier League sides
may potentially come calling with their millions and this could generate a tidy profit for Light Blues.
Diomande looks set to be the second signing of the January transfer window it will be interesting to see if Clement brings
anyone else in.
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