Nicolas Raskin clipped rubbing shoulders with Belgium's best after replacing £50m baller
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Whilst Rangers star Nicolas Raskin is rubbing shoulders with some of Belgium's best, Celtic fans are left mopping up the tears of Old Firm defeat.
Nicolas Raskin has been on inspired form for Rangers in recent weeks and put in an exceptional performance in the 3-2 Old Firm victory at Parkhead.
Barry Ferguson hailed Raskin at full-time but insists the best is still to come for the midfielder at Ibrox.
Raskin's recent performances have been recognised by Belgium, who've called Nico up for the first time ahead of the UEFA Nations League double-header with Ukraine.
With Raskin having taken dropped Celtic star Arne Engels' place in the Belgium squad, the first images of the Rangers hero being put through his paces have been shared online.
Nicolas Raskin spotted in Belgium training
It's a moment of great change for the Belgium national team as French coach Rudi Garcia prepares to lead the nation for the first time.
Philippe Clement was linked to the Belgium gig as former RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco teetered on the brink.
But with the now former Rangers manager being relieved of his duties at Ibrox, Belgium have looked to Garcia who has rewarded Raskin with a chance amongst a star-studded squad.
Now the Red Devils' social media team have uploaded a short video clip of the Belgium squad being put through their paces with Rangers hero Raskin snapped on an exercise bike.
Raskin was being tracked by the likes of Barcelona before Rangers pounced in the winter of 2023 with the 24-year-old beginning to show precisely why in recent weeks.
Ahead of the crunch UEFA Nations League Playoff tie with Ukraine, the Ibrox midfielder is rubbing shoulders with some of football's biggest stars.
Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne is the Belgium national team's captain, whilst Etihad teammate Jeremy Doku is also in the squad.
Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has been included, whilst there are also places for the likes of Youri Tielemens (Aston Villa) and Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Even once Rangers-linked Michy Batshuayi, now of Eintracht Frankfurt, has been called up to provide cover amid a spate of injury call-offs.
Nicolas Raskin replaces £50m Belgium midfielder
Rudi Garcia has been explaining Nicolas Raskin's call-up ahead of Belgium's double-header with Ukraine.
The French manager has revealed that Raskin's place in the squad comes off the back of an injury to £50m Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana (BBC Sport).
Despite the Premier League star returning to the Villa fold in recent weeks, Garcia claims that the 23-year-old is not yet ready to add to his 20 national team caps.
"We can't take everyone!" Garcia says. "That's why there are players who could have been with us who are not. We must find the solution to replacing Amadou Onana, who is not part of the list because he has not played. He is not ready for the moment. He is not 100 per cent.
"So that's why there are players who are part of the squad for the first time, like Nico Raskin.
"[Raskin] played 120 minutes [against Fenerbahce] and will play against Celtic this weekend. So we will focus on this from Monday so he is ready for Thursday."
