Nico Raskin's pride at Hampden captaincy, trophy hunger, McInnes admiration and 'I had to stay' confession

Nico Raskin has waited a long time to experience the satisfaction of winning silverware with Rangers. The midfielder is therefore determined to ensure his next appearance at Hampden delivers the one moment that has so far eluded him – lifting a trophy.

With club captain Lawrence Shankland still sidelined through injury and Dan Neil left out of the starting XI for Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, Rangers manager Derek McInnes handed the captain's armband to the Belgian international.

Having been entrusted with the responsibility of leading Rangers out at the national stadium, Raskin is now determined to ensure the occasion has an even happier ending, with red, white and blue ribbons adorning the trophy on December 13.

Nico Raskin was handed Rangers captaincy duties against Aberdeen at Hampden | SNS Group

The 24-year-old has spent long enough in Govan to understand the significance of delivering silverware, although his own history in the competition comes with one frustrating caveat.

Raskin missed Rangers' previous League Cup triumph through injury and, while his family might argue that he already has a winners' medal, he is reluctant to claim credit for a success he was unable to contribute to on the pitch.

Having worked tirelessly towards achieving the sort of success that defines a Rangers career, Raskin is determined to play his part when the opportunity to lift silverware presents itself in six weeks' time.

“My family tell me I've won one, but I tell them I haven't,” he explained. “I got rested for the first two games, and injured for the next two! It's not me winning that. I'm just happy to get to this final with full belief and I want to win that cup. I think I've been here a long time and we've worked so hard. Not having that is difficult, but hopefully next month we'll win one.”

Rangers edged closer to ending their three-year wait for major domestic silverware with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Dons, courtesy of Ryan Naderi's late winner.

The significance of the result was therefore twofold. As well as moving Rangers to within 90 minutes of silverware, it gave Raskin the chance to savour an experience in Mount Florida that had previously passed him by.

“It was good, a really enjoyable moment,” he said of being informed of his captaincy duties before kick-off. “The gaffer told me before the game and it was good for me, and good that we won. I'm very happy for the team and for everyone.”

It was, however, far from a straightforward passage into the final. Aberdeen proved stubborn opponents, defending resolutely and making life uncomfortable for the favourites.

Rangers had been forced to dig deep and hailing the persistence shown by his team-mates, Raskin stated: “If you think you're going to have an easy game, coming out and winning 4-0, you're wrong. The other team is coming with a plan and it's a big game for them, also. It's not easy to win football games. So you go out and give the best performance you can.”

At the centre of that collective effort is a manager Raskin believes is instilling a clear direction and sense of purpose within the squad. The Belgian believes McInnes’ passion for the club and understanding of its expectations have been instrumental in shaping the team's approach.

“He breathes Rangers and he gives that to us,” Raskin declared. “It's so good to have someone like him driving us every day and on the pitch. I'm delighted for him and hopefully we can win it for him too. He's quite straightforward. He knows what he wants to say when he talks to us. He knows how to adapt the game when circumstances are changing and tries to prepare us in the best way. Then it's up to us to take his message on and play the way he wants.”

For all the significance of reaching another final, Raskin remains conscious of the broader challenges facing Rangers this season. His own future was the subject of considerable speculation over the summer, adding a further layer to what has already been an eventful campaign.

Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin is desperate to end his wait for a winner's medal | SNS Group

Asked what lifting the League Cup would mean in that context, he offered a characteristically direct response. “It would mean I had to stay and win it.”

The remark may have been delivered with a smile, but the sentiment was unmistakable. For now, Raskin's attention is firmly on the challenges that lie ahead rather than allowing questions over his future to distract him from the immediate pursuit of silverware.

He added: “Listen, it's not going to be an easy season. It's a long season. But the main thing is to keep focused and keep working towards the goal. We need to keep believing in the manager and what we're doing, then we'll be there.”

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