Nico Raskin's standout performance for Belgium against the USA in the World Cup has ignited debate among Rangers fans about his potential transfer value, with comparisons drawn to Celtic's Arne Engels. The midfielder assisted Charles De Ketelaere in Belgium's 4-1 victory, just hours after US President Donald Trump reportedly urged FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun's red card.
Raskin's World Cup Impact Fuels Transfer Speculation
Raskin, a key figure in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals, has been hailed as a driving force. Rangers supporter Chris Lowe from Yoker said: "With bit part player Arne Engels being touted for a laughable £25million for scoring 17 goals in two seasons 12 of them from the spot, what price can Rangers expect for Raskin who's the driving force behind getting Belgium to the last eight of the World Cup? If he played across the city we'd be looking at £50 million rated headlines from the usual suspects."
Lewis Ferguson Transfer Talk Dismissed
Bologna's Lewis Ferguson has been suggested as a replacement, but Donald Dundas from Uddingston rejected the hype: "Let's be honest, the hysteria regarding Lewis is rather over the top. I suggest that he is not yet a world class player. He is playing in a poor Italian league at the moment. If he was outstanding every week in the Premier League or for the likes of PSG or Madrid then fair enough. I didn't think he even stood out in the world cup but neither did many of our lot."
Trump's FIFA Intervention Sparks Fury
The Balogun red card controversy has drawn widespread criticism. Hugh McKirdy emailed: "Would FIFA have overturned a red card for say Grant Hanley or a player from say Ghana? Not a chance! It's selective on who's involved and just typical of what has become of the greed that now engulfs what is supposed to be the people's game." Philip Borland added: "Well, it shows you that Donald Trump is running the world cup and not FIFA. What a farce this is. Trump phones the FIFA president to get a USA player reinstated and he does. It's a joke, the president of FIFA should resign immediately." John Scott from Port Glasgow said: "Given Donald Trump's failed attempt to put his thumb on the scales regarding Balogun, perhaps it's time to expand the scope of VAR to FIFA officials as well. After all, they seem to be the ones who are most in need of cameras to catch out foul play."
Domestic Football Jibes and Rangers Recruitment
Davy Cook called for Holyrood action: "Now that world leaders are getting in on the act on football decisions, when is John Swinney going to step in and get Hearts awarded last season's title which they were robbed of?" Gary Stevenson from Newtonhill took a swipe: "Changing Referees decisions and having influence over FIFA? Who does Donald Trump think he is, Martin O'Neill?" On Rangers' recruitment, Drew Ferguson from Oban said: "Rangers recruitment so far lacks one thing - creativity. Like every other year they will face low blocks every week and until we sign players like [Vaclav] Cerny we will struggle. Lawrence Shankland will score goals if and only if someone creates the chances for him."
