Rangers Face Major Injury Scare Ahead of Livingston Clash – Nicolas Raskin Limps Off on International Duty
Rangers are bracing for a nervous wait after midfielder Nicolas Raskin was forced off during a recent fixture and subsequently pulled out of Belgium’s U‑21 squad due to a “small injury.” The 22‑year‑old, who joined Ibrox in January and has already notched an assist and strong performances in the SPFL, was seen leaving the pitch with a quad issue that has left manager Michael Beale confirming it is “touch and go” for the upcoming trip to Livingston. Beale revealed after the Motherwell win that Raskin missed Thursday’s training session with a slight quad strain, and although early indications suggest nothing catastrophic, the club isn’t taking any chances. “Nico has a slight issue, he missed training. It’s touch and go – we’ll see Friday and if there’s any risk it will be a no, but at the moment it’s promising,” Beale said, echoing concerns that have already seen fellow midfielders John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, and
Connor Goldson dealt blows this season . ¹ ² ³ Raskin’s absence would be a heavy blow for a Rangers side still chasing Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Since arriving from Standard Liège, he has averaged strong aerial duels and a high pass success rate, becoming a key link in Beale’s midfield structure. His potential unavailability forces the manager to consider alternatives such as Glen Kamara, Scott Arfield, or even Malik Tillman, who has already been rotated to cover earlier injuries . The timing adds extra pressure with the Livingston match looming on 22 November, a game Rangers must approach with full strength to keep pace in the title race. Beale emphasized the squad’s depth, noting, “We’ll have to leave a couple out… we go there with a strong squad regardless of who’s available.” Raskin took to Instagram to reassure fans, writing: “Unfortunately I will not be playing for Belgium U‑21 in the upcoming two matches due to a small injury. I’ll be back soon!” ⁴ The club’s medical team will monitor his progress closely over the next 48 hours, with a final decision expected before kickoff. For Rangers supporters, the injury comes amid an already injury‑riddled campaign, but the squad’s resilience will be tested. A fit Raskin could swing momentum back to Ibrox, yet if he misses, Beale’s adaptability will be under the spotlight as Livingston awaits. Key Impact: – Midfield depth: Raskin’s loss hampers creativity and defensive cover. – Opportunity for backups: Players like Kamara, Arfield, and Lundstram get a chance to step up. –
Title race: Every point matters; missing a key midfielder could shift the balance against Livingston and later Celtic showdowns. Rangers fans will hope the quad strain is merely a precaution, and Raskin returns before the crucial fixtures ahead. _Sources:_
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