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Nicolas Raskin likened to all-time great as worldwide media rave over Rangers star
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- Nicolas Raskin likened to all-time great as worldwide media rave over Rangers star
Nicolas Raskin continues to fly the flag for Rangers at the World Cup with Belgium .
The 25-year-old has been superb for the Red Devils when called upon so far in the global showpiece.
Raskin has played in all five of his country's matches in their run to the quarter-finals, where Spain await on Friday evening.
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After impressing in the 4-1 win over the United States last time out, Raskin is widely tipped to start that all-European showdown in Los Angeles.
However, the eye-catching displays from the former Standard Liege ace do little to help Rangers' hopes of keeping him.
Even more so given the rave reviews Raskin is now earning from the press across the world.
Nicolas Raskin shows Gennaro Gattuso like qualities
Rangers fans need no introduction to Gennaro Gattuso, who famously spent a season at Ibrox in 1997-98.
Gattuso went on to become one of the greatest of all time at what he did in holding midfield - albeit away from Glasgow.
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It is pretty appropriate, then, that Mundo Deportivo's print edition on Friday describes Raskin as being "Gattuso-like".
"He's very aggressive in presses, a lover of the tackle and is very smart in breaking rival lines with his pass. He never rests," the report adds.
The Spanish media give particular focus to Raskin in their match previews, with AS also hailing his often unheralded qualities.
"Even with Amadou Onana [available], he was going to be a starter in the Belgian midfield against Spain," a snippet from AS on Friday reads.
"The absence of the Villa player ditches any debate. With his low socks and his short stature, he is a different midfielder but he has a lot of quality. He has shone at Rangers."
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And that praise continues outside of Spain, with French outlet L'Equipe naming Raskin as one of the revelations of the tournament.
"Of the strong choices Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has made since taking charge as head coach of the Red Devils, the decision to field Nico Raskin in midfield is one of the smartest," they write.
"His World Cup is a reflection of his performances since his debut for the national team and showcases all his qualities in midfield.
"The 25-year-old midfielder has also already provided two assists, one against New Zealand and one against the United States."
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Amid all the high praise for Raskin, his future is looking increasingly likely to be away from Ibrox if the latest reports are anything to go by.
Rangers could suffer from World Cup exploits as Euro club want Nicolas Raskin Where could Raskin end up this summer?
Raskin is not Rangers' only World Cup quarter-final participant.
Thelo Aasgaard is also still involved with Norway , albeit he is playing less of a part than Raskin at Belgium.
There is every chance Rangers could sell Raskin and Aasgaard before the summer transfer window closes.
The only question when it comes to Raskin is how much can Rangers raise for the midfielder?
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Calvin Bassey 's £20million-plus sale to Ajax remains the record for a Rangers sale.
That could well be beaten if Raskin continues like this, with Serie A pair Atalanta and Bologna interested, while Hull City have already had a bit rejected.
Raskin has been a good servant for Rangers, but his time at Ibrox is clearly coming to an end due to his talent being showcased to the wider world.
