I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: pairing Nico Raskin and Connor Barron together can leave Rangers looking a bit clogged in the middle. Not because either of them are bad players, but because they can end up hunting the same spaces and doing the same kind of work. When that happens, we tilt too defensive and the tempo drops. Tonight, though, Raskin showed exactly why he looks like our natural number 6, and why so many of us see him as the best footballer at the club.
Raskin as the 6 just makes sense
The big difference is what it does to the whole team. When Raskin sits and dictates, we look more like a football side rather than a group of lads all trying to solve the same problem. In the first half there was more interplay in midfield, more angles, and more willingness to take the ball under pressure.
What I liked most was that he wasn’t just hiding in front of the back line either. A couple of times he popped up in behind, arriving into good areas and linking the play in a way that makes defenders make decisions. That’s a proper midfielder, not just someone filling a role.
Aasgaard’s touch and bravery on the ball
There’s a footballer in Aasgaard, and I’m not really interested in anyone pretending otherwise. You can see it straight away. He’ll take the ball in any situation, even when it’s fizzed into him and a man’s on his back. That’s a trait Rangers have missed at times, especially in tight moments when the game gets a bit scrappy and you need someone to calm it down.
His touch looks lovely, and he’s got that wee bit of quality where he can take it, set it, and do something with purpose. You don’t need to overcomplicate it: if a player wants the ball and can look after it, he’s already giving you a platform to play.
Chermiti, Souttar and Butland stepping up
Barron, to be fair, didn’t do a lot wrong. He worked, he kept it tidy enough, and he didn’t hide. I just don’t think he’s on the same level as Raskin when it comes to controlling games and making the team tick. That’s not a dig, it’s just the standard you need at Rangers.
Up top, Chermiti impressed. The hold-up play was strong, the touches were classy, and you could literally see the confidence building with every involvement. That kind of presence helps the whole side breathe and get up the pitch.
My man of the match was John Souttar. He showed experience in a few tough moments and dealt with the physical side well. I genuinely can’t get my head around folk wanting rid when you need defenders who can stand up when it gets sticky. And a special mention to Jack Butland as well, another superb showing that gives everyone in front of him a lift.
Overall, it feels like Danny Röhl has tightened us up and now he’s starting to push us towards being more of an attacking threat. You can see the idea forming. Now it’s about doing it consistently, especially in the league.
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