MICHAEL BEALE has landed his second signing of the transfer window after Rangers completed a move for midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
Boss Beale identified Raskin as one of his key January targets and he follows Todd Cantwell in signing on at Ibrox following his move from Norwich City.
The 21-year-old arrived in Scotland on Monday evening and was seen being driven into Auchenhowie on deadline day to go through the formalities of the final stages of his switch.
Rangers are now poised to announce the deal in the coming hours as supporters get their deadline day wish after a prolonged pursuit that saw the Ibrox board have two offers rejected by Standard Liege for a player who had entered the final months of his contract at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Beale refused to confirm the deal for Raskin at his media conference on Monday afternoon as he revealed that Rangers would not return to the negotiating table in an attempt to sign Morgan Whittaker after seeing their approach turned down by Swansea City earlier this month.
READ MORE: Former Rangers star Jonatan Johansson returns to academy coaching role
The Englishman has been on the lookout for midfield reinforcements since he succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager and his double deal for Cantwell and Raskin adds further strength to the central areas.
"He’s an excellent player, there’s loads of interest and he has a lot of options," Beale said on Monday. "He can connect the midfield and forwards, he is technically very good and can play as a No.6 or a No.8. Yeah, he will be a good signing for someone.
"Competition. If you think about who left that position of the pitch, Joe Aribo, what did he bring? Legs and energy.
READ MORE: Rangers transfer deadline day state of play - Chris Jack
"It’s lazy to say he and Tillman are similar because they’re not. Malik brings something different to Joe and I feel that type of player would help us. One more would compete with Jack, Lundstram and Kamara."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel