MICHAEL BEALE didn't need sold on the idea of signing Nicolas Raskin when his name was put to him in December. As it turned out, he didn't need to give the Belgian the hard sell to make him move to Ibrox.
Beale first became aware of Raskin's talents when he played against Rangers for Standard Liege just over two years ago. Ever since then, the name has stuck in the mind of a manager who has a bank of players - those he has worked with, been in opposition to or just admired - stored away in his memory.
When Beale sat down with Ross Wilson, the sporting director, to plan his first transfer window at Ibrox, there was one target that stood out. This week, the Englishman landed his man as Raskin put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half year deal to follow Todd Cantwell into Ibrox.
At 21, Raskin ticks several different boxes for Rangers. His profile and potential were key factors in the move and he addresses an issue in the middle of the park that Beale quickly identified following his appointment as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's successor.
Beale spoke glowingly about Raskin's attributes in the days before a deal was done but every word of praise had to be caveated with the knowledge that it wasn't quite signed, sealed and delivered. Now that it is, he can let his latest recruit do his talking on the park.
“He’s very different to Todd because I played against Todd quite a bit," Beale said. "I played against him in his last start for Norwich, so I’d visually seen him.
“I haven’t seen Nicolas in a stadium since he played against us a couple of years back. But he was a player, when we were here before, that we were very interested in.
“And when I came back, he was one of the first names mentioned to me. Straight away, in my very first conversation with Rangers, he was a player that the club was very interested in and what were my thoughts. I said I really liked him.
“I don’t want to put these two players in competition but he and Glen (Kamara) are going to have a massive tussle to play in a similar role, They can play together, for sure, but they are very similar.
“Raskin is not a tough man. He’s not a tackler, he’s a technical player like Glen. He’ll intercept and run hard but he’s not a little Rottweiler.
"He can play as a 6 or an 8 and can dribble with the ball and has a good passing range. Then it’s just a matter of settling in. At 21, he’s got all his future in front of him."
Raskin made the decision some time ago that he would be leaving Liege during the January window or at the end of the season. The only doubt was his destination.
Interest from across the continent - with the likes of Benfica, Feyenoord and Napoli all credited with an eagerness to make a move - was high and Raskin was not short of suitors in recent weeks.
Being able to lure the Belgian Under-21 internationalist to Ibrox is an eye-catching bit of business for Rangers and the patience that had to be shown as the deal dragged on and two bids were rejected ultimately paid off on deadline day.
"I think it was huge we got to the Europa League final last year," Beale said when asked if it was a coup for Rangers to land Raskin on a long-term contract. "Absolutely huge. People look at that and go: “Wow”.
"I know the Champions League run didn’t go well this year for whatever reason. Napoli are riding high in the league and Liverpool and Ajax aren’t the worst teams, are they?
"I think it was a particularly tough draw, with injuries at the time and whatever. But to play in a Europa League final and then go in the Champions League opens you up to a different level of player.
"If I think of the players now to when I first arrived in 2018, it shows the progress of the club. Sometimes I feel the only people who understand that and respect it are the ones inside the building who have gone on that journey.
"Then I think it’s about having a real clear vision of where we’re going in the future. I’d like to re-energise the age of the squad – and the hunger. I’m seeing good signs at the moment."
The trajectory is all heading upwards for Rangers right now. Cantwell and Raskin represent two intriguing acquisitions to kick-start the Beale rebuild and victory over Hearts on Wednesday night was a tenth win from eleven matches for the Englishman.
Beale has never been one for short-term fixes. He knows as well as anyone where Rangers need to get to on their next journey and he is pleased that Raskin is on board after laying out his vision for the future and discovering shared beliefs and ambitions.
"I think players want to know where you see them, how much you’ve watched them, what’s their specific role and where you think they need to improve," Beale said. "There weren’t any guarantees on playing time in those conversations.
"The club, we sell out every week and we have a chance to win things. Those things sell themselves.
"But I still think it comes down to a connection with the people. So for someone like Nico or Todd, they both want to play and be the main part of a team.
"What they’ve got to understand is that they’re coming into a good team first, then what attributes they can bring to it.
"There have been no promises in terms of playing time but there have been in terms of where I see them evolving."
That process of evolution must be both individual and collective at Ibrox. As Beale gradually improves the fortunes of the team, the reputations and values of those that make it up naturally rise in tandem.
The squad that he and Steven Gerrard assembled in 2018 has done its job and largely run its course. The next wave of recruitment must put quality back on the park but it will also add value to the balance sheet.
"I think it probably comes down to whether you guys see that value," Beale said. "When there is a crisis in Scotland, we’re brilliant at making it a massive disaster.
"Three or four games later, Glen Kamara back to being a £10 million player. Or last week he was going to leave with his tail between his legs.
"I don’t see it like that. The players have to understand the team’s the vehicle. It’s very hard to have value in a team that’s not playing with style or winning.
"It’s amazing what two months can do. But I’m also very aware about what a bad couple of results can do.
"I think we’re on the mend. We’re nowhere near where I want us to get, because I want to see it consistently.
"Ten or 11 results is a good window but it’s not a huge one. I think we need to see it over 30/40 games."
