It’s an old battle cry but new Rangers combatant Nico Raskin reckons it rings just as true today.
‘No-one likes us, we don’t care’ is the famous mantra of an Ibrox faithful happy to play the bad guy in Scottish football’s never-ending melodrama. And it’s a role Raskin insists he’s just as comfortable with too as he prepares to step out onto another hostile stage.
Last week it was a bear-free zone as the away support were locked out of Celtic Park. Now another lion’s den awaits as Michael Beale’s side prepare to journey north to Pittodrie to take on an Aberdeen side hoping to roar their way back into Europe. The Premiership repercussions next Sunday no longer hold quite the same significance after that title race-ending Parkhead defeat. But it’s a game that still holds major importance as Gers look to rebuild confidence ahead of their Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with last week’s conquerors at the end of the month.
The Dons support will be bearing teeth when Raskin and his colleagues arrive in the Granite City. But these are exactly the type of clashes the former Standard Liege ace loves to sink his own gnashers into.
The 22-year-old said: “Yes, I heard that they don’t like us. But all the teams that play Rangers try to give their best and they try to beat us.
“I have the feeling there is not so many teams that love us. But we are a team that likes to play against adversity like we did last week also. It was the same with Standard. In Belgium, the team liked to play against adversity.
“For me personally it’s always good to play away where the fans don’t like you because you show that you are better and that gives them a bad feeling. For me, I like that. It motivates me a lot. We are not worried about that!
“We need to get as much confidence as we can then we will be getting ready for the semi final. That’s one of our big goals.”
Raskin spoke of using the pain of losing February’s Viaplay Cup final loss as fuel for their Premiership push. But that wasn’t enough to stop Ange Postecoglou’s supercharged Hoops from motoring off towards another championship as Beale’s team conked out at Parkhead.
Raskin, though, still believes that derby frustration can give his side the motivation they need to salvage their season with a Scottish Cup triumph. The £1.7million January recruit said: “No-one likes to lose like we did last week.
“I felt we were good in the game. We scored two goals and we could have scored more. But, yes, it’s always painful to lose. Now we are looking forward and taking it game by game. We know we still have things to do this season.”
If Gers are to do anything of note this year, however, they’re going to have to cut out the sloppy mistakes that gifted Celtic yet another win last week and almost gave St Mirren a point on Saturday. Mark O’Hara was twice allowed to lash the Buddies level at Ibrox as Rangers stood and watched the Saints ace take aim.
Alfredo Morelos’ late double got Gers out of trouble as goals from Todd Cantwell, Fashion Sakala and Scott Arfield contributed to a 5-2 win. But Raskin knows his side still has lots to work on.
He added: “I’m happy with my performance and as a team we played good football. But we need to be more killer in the final third to kill the game. We also need to avoid conceding goals because they came a bit from nowhere.
‘But I think we are getting better. We are trying to create good connections on the ball but we need to be more aggressive without the ball.”
Beale whipped Raskin off before Morelos’ quick-fire brace saved the day for Gers, with the boss admitting his new midfield lynchpin is still searching for peak fitness. But the Belgian Under-21 cap reckons it won’t be long before he’s able to go the distance.
“Am I getting better by the game? I think so, yes. I am getting more comfortable. The little break I had because of injury stopped me a bit in terms of building my fitness.
“But I am working on it. I am just trying to enjoy every game and trying to play as good as I can with the other boys and create good connections.
“I think you can see we are happy to play together. I’m enjoying it a lot. I got injured last month and I had to stop. And I’m the kind of player who needs games in my legs to be fully me.
“I think I can improve this with time and training. But I am feeling good and feeling better and better.
“Will it be next season after pre-season before I’m at my best? No. I think I can get there [this season]. There is nothing else. It’s just about me and training and games. As the time goes on I will be OK.”
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