Nicolas Raskin, an international nobody and a hobbit at 5ft 10in. Just 23 and reveling in the grim reality of making a name in the underrated profession of running up and down the middle of a football pitch. The Belgian tyro has been doing his shift at the well-known "small team" Rangers.
Never heard of him? Neither have I, and so the tale goes. Regular favourite of the bench, Raskin's rocking the austere number 43 jersey. Perhaps loose change from a bingo game, who knows!
The lad's got more stamps in his passport than he has goals, with a sterling record of playing more matches for the Belgian U21 national team than finding the back of the net. Moving on.
Season x 2023-2024. Boldly stepped into 18 minor gigs known as Premiership matches, mustered just one goal. Shirts off, fireworks and church bells, right? As for Scottish Cup, UEFA U21, and Europa League, he either started or warmed up the bench. Almost like flipping a coin.
Three seasons into his quietly celebrated career in Scotland, our boy Raskin's accomplishments can be penned down on a post-it note. Let's see, 18 appearances, one goal; 12 appearances, dust; this season, no appearances. Perhaps he is providing moral support in the locker room?
Leaving the grassy knolls of Scotland, oh look! He's got a history with Standard Liege in Belgium. 17 appearances with a solitary goal then a year of repeating the same exercise, a natural-born juggler our Raskin. Year before that, two appearances. Climbing the ladder or playing fool's game, who can say?
A quick jaunt back in time will have you sighing with nostalgia. Raskin, once a young pup at Gent in Belgium. A single appearance marking his debut season. In this game lined with giants, the lad had his humble beginning. The rest, as they say, is a walk in the park.
