Rangers ace is emulating Nico Raskin and ‘feeling the benefits already’ of his new approach
‘Evolution’ was the word Philippe Clement used to describe Nico Raskin’s emergence as one of Rangers’ stand-out performers on the other side of Christmas.
Only a few months prior, the Belgian appeared like he might have been on his way out at Ibrox.
Injuries were stalling his progress and, to paraphrase former Rangers defender Alan Hutton, Philippe Clement did not appear to fancy Raskin initially. So, what was the catalyst for his return to prominence, form and fitness?
Well, as Clement would go onto explain, Nico Raskin was certainly feeling the benefits of putting extra emphasis on nutrition. Raskin’s father opened up on his use of a personal chef, meanwhile.
Something which, in a game where the tiny margins tend to make a big difference, has helped to give the tireless midfielder a vital edge when harrying and hassling his opponents into submission.
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Photo by Oguz Yeter /Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Oguz Yeter /Anadolu via Getty Images
Connor Barron emulates Nico Raskin as Rangers midfielder returns in style
Raskin was ‘unbelievable’ as Rangers defeated Fenerbahce 3-1 in Turkey during the first-leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. Connor Barron was not far behind.
On his first appearance since the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in late-January, Barron was ‘phenomenal’ as part of Barry Ferguson’s beefed-up midfield.
As he did throughout an impressive start to life at Ibrox, Barron covered every blade of grass, moved the ball smartly, and brought an aggression which a more technically-gifted Fenerbahce side struggled to match.
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“It was brilliant to start after being out,” Barron now tells Rangers Review, looking to kick on again after an injury absence and having lost his place in the starting XI to Raskin and Mohamed Diomande. “Every game for this club means a lot to me.
“Obviously, after being out for a while, it was great to come back in and play 90 minutes.”
Barron did not mention Raskin by name. He did, however, suggest that may have taken a leaf out of the playbook of his much-improved midfield partner, using his time on the sidelines to further develop his understanding of the nutritional side of things off the field.
“No injury is nice but it’s about how you react to it and what you learn while you’re out,” says Barron, who has now started seven of Rangers’ nine European matches this term. “It was nice to see things from a different angle.
“I’ve studied the game a lot and picked up on different parts of my own game I think I can improve on. I went away and did that and I feel better for it.
“You pick up a lot when you’re out. You see the game from a different perspective, watching from the stands. You analyse it more and look at things in different positions to see what you could do better.
“I also looked at the nutritional side – just everything I can do to make myself a better professional. I’m feeling the benefits from that already.”
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Barron relishing a few months under Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson
Last week, interim boss Barry Ferguson spoke of his plan to help Mohamed Diomande fulfil his potential as a Rangers player. As one of the finest midfielders in the history of the Ibrox outfit, the club’s current crop of talent could hardly have a better mentor under which to hone their abilities.
Barry has been brilliant,” Barron adds. “He’s come in and looked to improve me as a player which is great. We’ve been on the training pitch after a session a few times and I’m trying to pick up everything I can from him.
“He was a top player so any little nuggets I can get from him is going to help me as a player. I know all about his playing career, of course.
“He’s a legend in Scotland for this club and I watched some of his clips when I knew he was coming in as manager.”
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