Glasgow Rangers ended last week on a high note, with Barry Ferguson leading them to their first victory at Parkhead since October 2020. The thrilling 3-2 win over Celtic saw Rangers dominate the first half, taking a two-goal lead. However, Celtic fought back in the second half, and it seemed a draw was inevitable—until Hamza Igamane stepped up. The striker, brought on with less than ten minutes remaining, scored a stunning winner that no goalkeeper could have saved.
The team delivered a marvellous performance, with James Tavernier particularly inspiring his teammates. Tavernier, who had an excellent game against Fenerbahçe earlier in the week, silenced doubters with a standout display. Despite his mixed record at Parkhead prior to the match, the captain made four key passes, created one big chance, and provided an assist. Defensively, he won 50% of his ground duels, made two tackles, and three interceptions.
However, Tavernier’s future at Rangers remains uncertain, especially with a new manager potentially taking charge. If he departs at the end of the season, the club already has an ideal replacement for the captaincy: Nico Raskin. The Belgian midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming season for Rangers. Since returning from injury, Raskin has been sensational, and his performance against Celtic was no exception. He opened the scoring with a header just four minutes into the game, won seven of his 12 ground duels, completed 100% of his dribbles, and made four tackles. His efforts earned him praise from journalist Scott Bradley, who highlighted Raskin’s potential and bright future.
Raskin’s recent form even earned him his first call-up to the Belgian national team for their Nations League matches against Ukraine. Strong performances in these games could further boost his reputation and market value. While Tavernier has been a reliable captain for six years, Raskin’s leadership qualities and on-field contributions make him a strong candidate to take over the armband if the new manager decides to make a change.
In summary, Rangers’ victory over Celtic was a team effort, with standout performances from Tavernier and Raskin. As the season progresses, the club may need to prepare for a potential leadership transition, with Raskin emerging as the perfect candidate to lead the team into the future.
