- Nico Raskin appeared at Standard Liège match amid injury absence and Rangers transfer speculation.
- Rangers midfielder missed final three Premiership fixtures after reported hamstring injury.
- Contract situation and Belgium return fuel uncertainty over Raskin’s long-term future at Ibrox.
Ibrox star Nico Raskin made a notable return to familiar surroundings at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Sunday evening, as he appeared in Belgium ahead of a summer shaped by injury absence and growing transfer speculation.
The Rangers midfielder entered the pitch alongside former Standard Liege winger Simon Tahamata, receiving a warm reception from the home crowd on a night that doubled as the veteran’s 70th birthday celebration.
However, the occasion ended in disappointment for Standard, who fell to a 2–0 defeat against Charleroi in their final European playoff group fixture, a result that ultimately ended their hopes of qualifying for continental competition.
Standard had gone into the match with control of their destiny, but Genk’s 2–0 win over OH Leuven ensured it was their rivals who advanced, setting up a decisive playoff clash with Gent for European qualification.
Raskin’s appearance came amid continued uncertainty over his long-term future with Danny Rohl‘s side.
Nico Raskin Rangers future in doubt
The midfielder is now entering the final two years of his contract and attracting ongoing interest following a disrupted end to the season in Scotland.
The Belgian international was unavailable for Rangers’ final three Premiership fixtures.
He picked up a hamstring injury in the 2–1 defeat away to Hearts, a result that effectively ended their title challenge under Danny Rohl.
He subsequently missed defeats against Celtic and Hibs as well as the Gers final day victory at Falkirk.
Despite his absence, Raskin remains a key figure within the Belgium national setup and has been included in their squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Nico Raskin Ibrox contract uncertainty
His return to a Belgian football environment also comes at a time when his long-term place at Rangers is increasingly under scrutiny.
Amid this speculation, previous comments from former Standard director Fergal Harkin resurfacing.
Harkin once reflected on Raskin’s departure to Glasgow, stating that Standard had effectively “solved a serious problem” by securing a transfer after failing to agree a new deal.
“For Raskin, we found a solution to a serious problem,” he said at the time.
“We could not reach an agreement to keep him for the long term, so it was necessary to find a way out in January.”
Raskin’s own connection to both clubs has long been noted. The midfielder has previously described Rangers as a “big brother” club to Standard, while also highlighting the cultural similarities between Glasgow and Liege.
“There’s no secret that Liege is more of a working-class town,” he said previously.
“I just felt that the intensity, the fans, the passion, it matches what I’ve known since I was very young.”
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
With his absence from Rangers’ season finale and his visible return to Belgium drawing attention, questions over his long-term future are likely to persist into the summer window.
Rangers fans did not catch a glimpse of the midfielder during the closing stages of the season.
Liege fans have now seen a former player appear, and for Rangers, Raskin might fall into the same bracket next time he steps foot into Ibrox.
