Rangers open up on Nicolas Raskin future as Derek McInnes gives major transfer update ahead of CEO chat

Rangers manager addresses ‘far from ideal’ preparation for Falkirk game

Rangers manager Derek McInnes expects Nicolas Raskin to stay at Ibrox until at least the start of next year after weeks of intense speculation over the Belgian’s future.

Raskin was reinstated into the Rangers starting XI for Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Falkirk after missing Rangers’ past two matches. The 24-year-old was tipped to leave Glasgow and both the player and the club turned down a loan move Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas earlier in the day.

With most transfer windows around Europe now closed, McInnes believes Raskin will remain a Rangers player. The club have, however, let fellow midfielder Thelo Aasgaard move on loan to Anderlecht.

Asked if he expects Raskin to stay, McInnes responded: “Yeah, I think he will. I can’t say for certain – I’m not in control of that. Obviously Nico’s had an opportunity to go today, and it wasn’t something he wanted or the club. It was hardly the ideal preparation.

“I’ve been keen to utilise Nico, but there’s been a lot going on for him. He’s been training with us every day, and I do think at times the team needs a bit more experience. I know he’s still relatively young in terms of his career, but he’s got a lot of experience under his belt for someone his age. I think the team, at times, needs that, so I was always keen to get him involved tonight.

“Even coming through from Ibrox at lunchtime today, at the hotel, I had Thelo two rows behind me and Nico three rows behind me – and I didn’t know who was coming and who was going. It’s far from ideal. This is the difficulty when you’re playing games while the window’s still open.

“This seems to be the longest window ever. Thankfully, this will be the last question I get asked about a transfer window because on Saturday, when we’re at Motherwell, the transfer window’s shut. For clarity, calmness and peace of mind for so many people, including myself, it will be no bad thing.”

Kevin Kelsy to Rangers latest

Rangers are set to conclude a £9 million deal for Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy before Thursday’s 5pm deadline for Scottish clubs and McInnes said there might be one more piece of business.

“There’s no secret that we’ve worked hard to get Kevin here” said McInnes. “There may be one other little thing that we’ll still pick up on when I come off the coach tonight and speak to Jim [Gillespie, CEO], potentially. But if we can get Kevin and add to our attacking threats, I just think the club and the team will settle down. I really do.

“I don’t anticipate any more outs, certainly, and I’m not convinced there’ll be any more ins other than the boy you mentioned.”

McInnes was pleased with getting all three points against Falkirk, building upon Sunday’s 1-0 win away at Aberdeen. The manager reserved particular praise for striker and captain Lawrence Shankland, who netted both goal with sweetly-struck left-footed efforts – his first from open play.

“I’m very pleased for Lawrence Shankland,” added McInnes. “I thought his second goal was particularly good, considering he missed the chance [beforehand] that he would be kicking himself with. But, like all good strikers, the experience of Lawrence, the calmness of Lawrence, the quality comes up with a big moment.

“His first goal was a fantastic strike. I was screaming to leave it for Gass [Djeidi Gassama], but he sticks it in the back of the net. I thought they led the line really well.

“I’m delighted for him because it’s not been, like for all of us, the easiest of starts. Obviously Lawrence would feel the weight of that a lot more than some others, I think, just because of his background and how eager he is. A proper captain’s performance out there tonight.”