Nicolas Raskin’s impressive recent Rangers performances have been rewarded with a senior debut for Belgium in Thursday night’s 3-1 loss to Ukraine.
The 24-year-old was introduced on 80 minutes with his team already 3-1 down and struggling.
Despite the tough circumstances, Raskin showed his class and composure on the international stage.
In his brief cameo, the Rangers midfielder completed an astonishing 93 per cent of his 14 passes, demonstrating his precision and ability to control the tempo of the game.
Additionally, Raskin won 100 per cent of his aerial duels, showcasing his physicality and tenacity in a match that saw Belgium struggle to find their rhythm.
Raskin’s inclusion in the national squad marks a major milestone in his burgeoning career.
He will now be hoping to be involved again when Belgium host Ukraine in the reverse UEFA Nations League A fixture on Sunday.
And there’s a strong chance of that happening since Aston Villa star and Belgium regular Youri Tielemans will be suspended.
Manager Rudi Garcia has suggested that he may have a more significant role in the second leg, given Tielemans’ absence.
Following the match, he stated: “We must be strong every minute of the match. It’s up to us to recover well. I expect a supercharged Belgian team on Sunday. We need an intelligent and dynamic team.
“The other black point is the suspension of Youri Tielemans. He will have to be replaced, that’s why [Club Brugge captain] Hans Vanaken and Nicolas Raskin came on.”
