Glasgow Rangers were heavily linked with a move for Nicolas Raskin during the summer transfer window and Saturday's shocking Old Firm performance emphasised that Giovanni van Bronckhorst needed a player of his ilk.

The young Belgian was regularly linked with a move to Ibrox in the final few weeks of the window, with reports suggesting that the 21-year-old could have joined the club had Glen Kamara completed a move to Nice.

In fact, it was suggested that Ross Wilson had offered him a four-year contract at Ibrox but the move was reliant on Kamara's potential exit, which ultimately fell through.

However, it is baffling that Rangers weren't able to do a deal with Standard Liege, as Raskin's contract with the Pro League side is set to expire at the end of this season, so any potential transfer wouldn't have set the Gers back too much, with reports suggesting that he would have cost just £4.7m.

Considering Rangers raised nearly £30m from the sales of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo this summer, as well as having the financial boost that Champions League qualification brings, it is inexcusable that they failed to bring in Raskin this summer.

Saturday's 4-0 defeat in the Old Firm saw Glen Kamara start in midfield before being hooked at half-time, and he was outrun and outwitted by Celtic's younger and more energetic players in the middle of the park, earning a shocking 6.2 rating from SofaScore for his performance.

37-year-old Steven Davis might be a club legend at Rangers, but he should not be starting such an important game at his age, which highlights the need for midfield reinforcements in Van Bronckhorst's side.

Raskin could have been a quality addition, having amassed more than 90 league appearances for Standard Liege despite his age, as well as some appearances in the Europa League, including one against Rangers.

Ahead of that fixture in 2020, Rangers were warned of Raskin's talent by Belgian journalist Bob Faesen.

He said: “He is still only 19, but he has really shone. He is a box-to-box midfielder. He can play in every position in the middle of the park. He is technically gifted, but he is also a bit of a pitbull.

"He can run a lot, is powerful and has a good shot. He has been one of the big surprises in Belgium football this season and will be a key player for Liege who Rangers will need to be wary of.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“712674”] 

Therefore, he clearly has some desirable attributes and is still only 21, so it is disappointing that Rangers failed to bring him in during the summer - as Van Bronckhorst clearly needs him.