With Nico Raskin’s press conference only yesterday, Rangers’ Belgian midfielder found himself under more focus than normal in his performance v St Johnstone. How would Raskin and his performance show up v St Johnstone?

Named in the starting XI to face St Johnstone, the former Liege man now knows he is a permanent starter under Derek McInnes and will be chosen, assuming form, for as long as he remains in Govan.

But how did he justify that with his display against the Perth side?

Display

For someone grilled by the press rather explicitly and excessively on Friday, Raskin managed to produce a very adept display.

Ibrox Noise rated his contribution around a 7, and the most telling part is no player on the pitch was on the ball more than the midfielder.

81 touches, with only Olwethu Makhanya’s 80 matching it.

But of course, having the ball in defence with opponents in a low block is hardly much to shout about.

Dictating play in the middle under the same circumstances is more noteworthy.

And Raskin was heavily involved.

Sofascore rated him 8.2, whoscored went with 7.36, but their algorithms don’t necessarily rate according to play.

Raskin got a lot of the ball, and his passing was decent. His carry distance was third in the side – both wingers Kim and Bouanani were more so, but for where he was, his 210 metres was impressive. Compared with the rather limp Dan Neil who managed a paltry 44.

What does this all mean?

It means Rangers have a reliable midfielder in Raskin who shines strongly with performance when he is needed to and St Johnstone weren’t really the most robust opponent.

He is also now playing to impress for a move in January. He’s not pushing for it, but he wants an offer to come in to take his career to a bigger league. And back to Europe.

For now, Rangers have Raskin giving everything for both the club, and his own future.

However long at Rangers that may be.