For years, a perceived lack of a winning mentality has been a frequent criticism leveled against many Rangers players, coinciding with one of the leanest periods in the club’s storied history.
While Nicolas Raskin and his teammates can’t be blamed for all the circumstances leading to just three major trophies in the past 14 seasons at Ibrox, they understand the urgent need to alter this perception on the field.
The Belgian midfielder acknowledges that without a significant victory, they will continue to face similar scrutiny. The team’s recent performances have seen fans question their resilience during critical moments.
“Until we achieve something big, this perception will linger,” Raskin admitted. “However, it’s hard to question our mentality when we’ve come back from a 13-point deficit to compete for the title, as we have this season.”
Raskin continued, “While it may seem a bit unjust, the question mark will remain until we secure a major victory. Our focus remains on ourselves and what needs to be done to achieve that success.”
Raskin insists criticism of Rangers is a little over the top given their early-season struggles
‘So it’s a bit, I won’t say unfair, but until we win a big thing it’s always going to be a question mark. But we just keep focusing on ourselves and what we need to do to go and win it.
‘No matter what people say, we don’t focus on that. We just focus on how do we win the next game, how do we get better for the next game and that’s it.’
Having slipped four points behind Hearts, there is simply no wriggle room left for Rangers as they prepare to take on the league leaders at Tynecastle in a box office bank holiday showdown on Monday evening.
‘We know it’s a do-or-die game,’ added Raskin. ‘Either we win it and we are in it for the title, or we lose and it’s going to be very tough. It’s very clear for everyone.
‘We cannot hide or say anything else. It’s the case. We need to win or it’s going to be very tough for us. We all know what it’s going to take. We all know where we are and that we need to win.’
The 2023-24 League Cup is the only piece of silverware Rangers have lifted since Raskin joined the club but he missed that Hampden win over Aberdeen because of injury.
The 25-year-old Belgian international is now regarded as one Rangers’ most influential players and biggest assets in terms of his potential sell-on value. He insists, though, that he still has unfinished business in Scottish football.
‘Oh yeah, for sure,’ he said. ‘Winning trophies is something that I’ve been dreaming of since I came to the club. So there’s no point saying otherwise. I was so disappointed after the last game against Motherwell, because I knew it was a big chance for us.
Raskin was unable to help Rangers get the better of an impressive Motherwell side last week
‘It wasn’t nice, especially after we had worked so hard to come back to that position where we were just one point behind. That’s the thing that is even more frustrating for us.
‘But you don’t have much time to be disappointed in football. It’s just about going out and winning the next game, then see what happens. I still think there are going to be lots of points dropped by the teams around us.
‘If we don’t believe in ourselves, then no one else is going to believe in us. So first of all we need to believe we can do it. We know we can do it. We’ve shown it during the season. Now we have to put the last effort into the final four games and give some extra to go and get the win.’
Raskin is viewed by many Rangers fans as a potential successor as club captain to James Tavernier when the veteran full-back moves on after 11 seasons at Ibrox this summer.
Never slow to voice his opinion in the dressing room or on the pitch, Raskin believes there is a collective responsibility to ensure Rangers are properly prepared and motivated for their remaining games.
‘I feel everyone has a part to play,’ he said. ‘Everyone, even the ones that are a little bit quieter, they’ve got a part to play by showing the intensity in training, showing that everyone wants to win.
‘I think that’s what the team is doing. We had a setback, but we came back here focused on the next game and put everything in training to make sure we are ready and sharp for the next game. So it’s easy to talk, but now it’s going to be up to us to go out there and win the game on Monday.
‘I think Tavernier has been the best captain I could have had coming into the club. He’s been top with everyone, every time. So we’ve been discussing with the boys here that’s something we want to achieve, giving this to Tavernier.
‘I think he might be the one that deserves it the most, that league title, for everything he has done for the club. So, it would be amazing for him to finish with the league title and hopefully a testimonial after. But it’s up to us to go and win the four games with him.’
Raskin is relishing the prospect of what he expects to be both a highly charged and extremely physical contest at Tynecastle.
‘Hearts have had a really good season, they always find a way to win games which is what matters, especially right now,’ he added. ‘So we know what we need to do.
‘There is going to be fire for the first 10 or 15 minutes. It’s a game of second ball, 50-50s, fight and who’s going to be the more efficient in the box. So we are getting ready for that. We are going there to win.’
