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£13m Rangers Star Has Ibrox Dressing Room Buzzing as Nico Raskin Delivers Verdict

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£13m Rangers Star Has Dressing Room Buzzing as NicoRaskin Delivers Glowing Verdict

 

Nico Raskin has revealed the excitement Badredine Bouanani is generating among his Rangers teammates after theStuttgart loanee impressed in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen.The Belgian midfielder believes the Algerian winger’s quality is already clear to everyone inside the Ibrox dressing room,insisting he did not reach the top level of German football without possessing something special.

 

Bouanani was one of Rangers’ standout performers at Hampden, repeatedly causing problems for Aberdeen with hisquick feet, close control and ability to beat defenders.Although he could not find the net, Raskin has no doubts that goals will eventually follow for the attacking playerscurrently providing creativity in Derek McInnes’ side.

Rangers secured their place in the final thanks to Ryan Naderi’s late winner, with the forward converting James Penrice’smis-hit effort from close range six minutes from time.

The 1-0 victory means McInnes is now just one game away from potentially winning his first trophy as Rangers manager,with the final scheduled for December 13.

 

Raskin knows exactly what reaching that stage means to his manager, having seen first-hand how much the club mattersto the former Kilmarnock boss.The midfielder said: “It feels top to reach the final. It’s really good for the team. But now we want to win it and there’s onegame to go. Now we go full force to win the cup.

“I know what this will mean for the manager too – 100 percent. He breathes Rangers and he gives that to us. It’s so goodto have someone like him driving us every day and on the pitch. I’m delighted for him and hopefully we can win it for himtoo.”

 

Raskin explains McInnes’ Hampden team talk

Rangers faced a difficult challenge against an Aberdeen side desperate to use the semi-final as an opportunity to turnaround their disappointing domestic form.

McInnes could have attempted to fire his players up with an aggressive pre-match speech, but Raskin revealed that themanager instead delivered a calm and straightforward message.

The Belgian explained that McInnes warned his players against underestimating the opposition and reminded them thatreaching the final would require a serious performance.

“He told us that it wasn’t going to be easy, that if we turn up and do everything we have to do, then we’d win the game,”Raskin said.

 

“We couldn’t come out with complacency and think it would be easy to score four goals. It’s a hard game that isn’t easy towin, so we have to enjoy it when we do.“If you think you’re going to have an easy game, come out and win 4-0, you’re wrong. The other team is coming with aplan and it’s a big game for them, also. It’s not easy to win football games. So you go out and give the best performanceyou can. We won, so we’re very happy.”

 

Raskin also praised McInnes for his ability to communicate clearly with the squad and adjust his approach when matchesdo not go according to plan.“The manager is quite straight-forward. He knows what he wants to say when he talks to us. He knows how to adapt thegame when circumstances are changing and tries to prepare us in the best way. Then it’s up to us to take his message onand play the way he wants.”

 

Bouanani earns special praise from Rangers teammate

While Naderi grabbed the decisive goal, Bouanani arguably produced the most eye-catching individual performance atHampden.

The Stuttgart loanee repeatedly troubled Aberdeen’s defence with his dribbling, movement and ability to createopportunities in one-on-one situations.

Goalkeeper Marius Muller denied him on a couple of occasions with impressive saves, but Raskin believes the winger’scontribution was another reminder of the quality Rangers have brought into their attacking department.

 

Asked about Bouanani, the midfielder said: “He didn’t play at such a high level for nothing. He’s a top player.“Having him, Gassama, Minsu, Findlay Curtis, it’s just great to have some one-vs-one pace on the side and goingforward.”

 

Raskin also backed the likes of Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim to start producing more goals, suggesting their attackingperformances deserve greater rewards.“These guys are desperate to score – but then you have Ryan scoring with his knee! I spoke to Minsu and he said to me,’When I get in front of the goal, I just want to score!’ Maybe sometimes it’s just about relaxing, taking a deep breath andscoring the goal.”

The Belgian joked that he was hardly the ideal person to offer finishing advice, but was keen to highlight the work theattacking players do for the team.

“I mean I’m not a goalscorer! I just give advice like people that don’t play football give advice to people!

“Listen, for the team they do so many good things. They work so hard defensively and create so many chances. It feels sogood to have them.”

Raskin reflects on Rangers captaincy

Raskin also enjoyed an additional responsibility at Hampden after being handed the captain’s armband.

 

With Lawrence Shankland unavailable through injury and vice-captain Dan Neil surprisingly starting on the bench, theBelgian was given the honour of leading Rangers out at the national stadium.He admitted it was a special moment, made even better by the result.

“It was good, a really enjoyable moment. The gaffer told me before the game and it was good for me, and good that wewon. I’m very happy for the team and for everyone.”

 

Raskin acknowledged that Rangers could have made life easier for themselves by scoring earlier, but was ultimatelydelighted to see his side get over the line.“It was sometimes difficult. If we scored earlier, we could have had more control of the game. At 0-0 or 1-0, it’s always amore tense game. We’re just delighted to win.”

 

Rangers now have the opportunity to turn their Hampden success into silverware when they return for the Premier SportsCup final on December 13.
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