Ryan Jack questions why Rangers left their ‘best player’ at home after Jablonec defeat
Ryan Jack has questioned Rangers’ decision to leave Nicolas Raskin in Glasgow for their European clash with Jablonec, insisting he still considers the Belgian midfielder the club’s “best player”.
Raskin was absent as Rangers suffered a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Jablonec, ending their European campaign before the league phase and leaving Derek McInnes’ side without continental football for the season.
Speaking on Go Radio after the defeat, former Rangers midfielder Jack admitted he could not understand why Raskin had not travelled to Czechia for the Conference League decider.
“I actually think Raskin is the best player. I still think Raskin is the best player and he's probably sitting in the house watching,” said Jack.
“Well, he will be sitting in the house watching and he's probably your best player and I don't know how much. I'm not too sure on the money that that's worth to the club and obviously Raskin could be leaving, but I still don't understand how he's not played.
“I know it's maybe a decision from above and knowing Nico, I think he would have played, but yeah, you're losing out on European football, the money that that will bring in and then you're probably your best player sitting at home watching the game on TV.”
Raskin left in Glasgow amid transfer speculation
Raskin's absence had been confirmed before kick-off, with McInnes explaining that the decision was directly linked to the possibility of the midfielder leaving Rangers before the transfer window closes.
“Nico hasn't travelled, nothing to do with injury or anything like that, just the potential of a transfer,” McInnes said before the match.
“I just think we're so late in the window, maybe it's something the club's looking at.
“So, he's trained this morning, but he's been left back in Glasgow.”
McInnes also revealed that the possibility of Raskin departing had been apparent since he arrived at Ibrox, with interest in the Belgium international having increased in the days before the Jablonec tie.
“When I came into the job, it was quite clear that there was maybe going to be an opportunity for Nico elsewhere,” he said.
“There's been plenty of interest in him. We believe that interest has stepped up over the last couple of days.
“So, something may or may not happen. If Nico stays beyond the window, then it would be great to work with him, but if he doesn't, we wish him well.”
Rangers reminded of Progres
The decision has taken on added significance following Rangers' failure to progress, and their first pre-September European exit since 2017’s infamous loss to Progres Niederkorn under Pedro Caixinha.
It also extends McInnes’s managerial record of never qualifying for a European group/league phase to nine attempts without success.
No blame for Curtis or Penrice
Jack acknowledged that the penalty shootout itself could not be blamed on the two Rangers players who missed, but felt the overall result reflected wider problems within the team.
“There’s no way that's on Findlay Curtis or [James] Penrice,” he said. “I think it's a penalty shootout, as we touched on. Anything can happen.
“But when you're playing a team of the quality, with no disrespect, a Jablonec to go into competing European group stage, Conference League, and to lose that tie over two legs is completely unacceptable.
“Yeah, it's disappointing. I think it's a story of where Rangers have been this season.”
Raskin's absence therefore adds another layer to a hugely damaging night for Rangers for former Europa League finalist and Scottish Premiership winner Jack, particularly given the midfielder's importance to the team and the financial consequences of failing to reach the Conference League’s league phase.
With Raskin's future still unresolved, Rangers must now wait to see whether the Belgian remains at Ibrox beyond the transfer window amid interest from Aston Villa and beyond but Jack's assessment of his importance could hardly have been clearer.
