Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg Nico Williams left winger of Athletic Club and Spaincelebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Athletic Club and Rangers FC at Estadio de San Mames on April 17, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. Bilbao Spain Imago Images
Belgium’s impressive run to the World Cup quarter-finals has significantly boosted transfer interest in Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin from clubs across the continent.
The Belgian ace has caught the eye of numerous European suitors with his performances in the tournament, placing Rangers manager Derek McInnes in a difficult position this summer.
Gordon Hendry, from Ochiltree, called in with a clear message, suggesting McInnes should build the team around Raskin rather than cash in on his rising value.
Hendry said: “Derek McInnes has the answer in his own hands. Don’t sell him – build the team around him – and after his World Cup performances, make him our new captain!”
He added: “What would it costs us to buy his equivalent in the current transfer market? Enough said. Hope you are listening Derek.”
Celtic meanwhile drew 1-1 with League of Ireland club Shelbourne in their opening pre-season fixture, a result that has generated significant commentary across Scottish football circles.
Benjamin Clarke, from Balornock, responded to the reaction by saying: “While the World Cup is coming to the crucial stage, Chris Lowe is more concerned about champions Celtic’s training games.”
Celtic are closing in on their first summer signing, with a reported £6 million deal for Qarabag striker Camilo Duran reportedly set to be confirmed imminently by the Parkhead club.
However, the incoming deal has not satisfied all supporters, with Alan Flett writing: “Every year, Gordon Ashley tells us that Celtic are going to blow everyone else out of the water with their spending power. And every year his club make him look like the fool that he is. Camilo Duran? They’d be better off with Duran Duran!”
Flett also questioned the appointment of Martin O’Neill, writing: “It’s not a question of, is O’Neill a yes man? He is a yes man! I said on Hotline a few weeks ago that O’Neill was the cheap and easy option and I’ve been proved right.”
George Wilson, from West Sussex, weighed in on the ongoing debate, saying: “Once again Gordon Ashley proves my point that he is not capable of making any comment on here without it being about Rangers. He must think about us constantly.”
Robert McEwan, from Mount Vernon, took the opposite view, expressing confidence that the champions would push on from their Double triumph and stating: “Six in a row is on the cards.”
Former Scotland striker Duncan Ferguson has been earning praise for his punditry work at the World Cup, having remained in the United States following Scotland’s early exit from the tournament.
Jim McClean, from Rothesay, emailed in to say: “I was never a fan of Duncan Ferguson but what a breath of fresh air he has been on the World Cup panel. No airs and graces using his normal Scottish tongue, he is the one that talks a lot of sense and has fun with it. Brilliant.”
Ferguson, a former Everton and Rangers target man, is now set to return home after his well-received stint on the punditry panel delighted Scottish football supporters watching from afar.
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