Philippe Clement insists Rangers hero Nicolas Raskin is ready now to play for a top half side in the English Premier League.
The midfielder is on international duty with Belgium and has two massive games against North Macedonia tonight and Wales on Monday in their World Cup qualifiers.
Axed ex-Ibrox boss Clement handed the captain's armband to Raskin for their Old Firm win against Celtic in January with James Tavernier injured.
And, in an interview in his homeland, Clement has tipped Raskin for the top.
He said: "I think he's ready. I'm convinced Nico would fit perfectly in the Premier League.
"I'm not saying he would be in a top six team now. But just below that, so he can calmly adapt to the level.
"Make no mistake: Nico has a lot of room to grow.
"He has to make the right choice now. And if he leaves and gets enough playing time at his new club, he will only get better. I would put my hand in the fire for that."
And Clement, who turned down the chance to manage Sparta Prague last week and is still without a job, was full of praise for how much Raskin has improved.
He said: "He’s a character. I worked with him intensively for a year at Rangers. Nico wants to know everything, gets into discussions and has his own opinion. But if you communicate and argue clearly, there’s no problem at all.
"I like players with an opinion. I didn't just give him the captain's armband for nothing. That way he could grow as a footballer and take on more responsibility.
"He has good feet and plays energetic football, but the most important step Nico has taken is that he has become tactically stronger.
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"That's why he was ready for the national team - something I said six months ago. I've talked to him about it a lot.
"Nico was a firefighter. You know? He often went somewhere else to put out fires and that caused problems in his zone. He doesn't do that anymore.
"I wasn't surprised when he played so well for Belgium on his debut.
"He’s played a lot of European matches. Both with Standard Liege and Rangers. When you play against teams like Manchester United, Spurs, Benfica or Real Betis....it means it’s nothing new for him to play against top players.
"Playing for his country was a huge honour for him. Nico benefits from that - he’s a born winner.”
