Roberto Martinez knows a few things about clever moves.
He’s a man of letters having taken the time during his playing days to study for degrees in physiotherapy and business management. Leading unfancied Wigan to FA Cup glory and Everton into Europe requires some serious football intellect too. With his canny communications and tactical skills, he’s also been able to manoeuvre his way into a couple of the most sought-after coaching gigs in world football.
And it was while managing the Belgian national side that Martinez - now Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal gaffer - first came across Nico Raskin. He saw in the Standard Liege kid a midfielder with the potential to be a star He wasn’t the only one, with the likes of Leeds, Napoli, Marseille and even Barcelona credited with an interested in the 22-year-old at various points.
But it was Rangers who beat the chasing pack to land the young midfielder’s signature after agreeing a £1.75million deal back in January. And Martinez believes that shrewd signing could have handsome rewards for both parties in the years to come.
“Firstly, I think it is a very clever signing, a fantastic signing for Rangers,” said the man who led Belgium to the top of the FIFA rankings. “It's a clever signing because he's a player that was highly rated by all the top European clubs and I think Rangers were very quick in the acquisition and that shows always a good structure, a good recruitment department and being ahead of the trends.
“You need to be proactive to sign players like this. Nicolas was a standout at Standard Liege and all the teams were following him.
“Rangers were prepared to take a risk and take the player a lot earlier because he was finishing his contract at the end of the season. He is one of those proactive signings that could be important for both sides. He has the potential to be a top midfielder at European level and if that development happens at Rangers, then Rangers will benefit.”
Raskin is still finding his feet in Glasgow but his early performances have offered hope to the beleaguered Light Blues legions that brighter days lie ahead so long as Ibrox boss Michael Beale continues to recruit players of similar quality.
Martinez has had his own insight into what’s required to succeed in Scottish football following a 12-month spell at Motherwell, which only ended in 2002 when the Fir Park club were plunged into administration.
The Spaniard’s time in Lanarkshire enjoyed a happy ending, however, when he met his future wife Beth while she was working in the Glasgow hotel he was holed up in during his Steelmen stint. And he believes the marriage between Raskin and Rangers can be just as rewarding.
Martinez - who invited Raskin to train with his Belgian squad on a couple of occasions before stepping down after last year’s World Cup - said: “The personality Nicolas has, he is a fighter, a winner, a great competitor. We called him up into the senior squad and I loved working with Nicolas. I only worked with him in one stage and it was because of the personality that he brings.
“It reminds me of another former Rangers player, Rino Gattuso. He’s got that dynamic approach being a No.8 that he can be box to box, but he’s got the quality when he gets on the ball and nothing fazes him. I don't think every player, or every foreign player, can play for the Old Firm.
“But Nicolas, without a doubt, is perfectly fitted for that role. And then another aspect that I was always looking for as a national team coach is that he is left-footed.
“In midfield to have that balance of having a left footer and someone that is competitive, someone that can go in any ground in any big tournament and not never be fazed, I think it's been a very intelligent signing.
“I can only see him growing and the potential that he has if he develops the full potential, it will help Rangers and it will help himself.”
Raskin - capped five times by Belgium’s Under-21s - will be a key figure as Jacky Mathijssen’s Red Devil youngsters aim for glory at this summer European Championships in Romania and Georgia.
And Martinez tipped that tournament to act as Raskin’s springboard to the senior squad - now managed by former RB Leipzig gaffer Domenico Tedesco. “I think is very, very close,” he declared. "Very close because in the lists of the federation he was always one of the big potentials at that time.
“It was Amadou Onana and Raskin in the Under-21s as the two midfielders. Onana moved to Lille and then moved to Everton and that accelerated his time.
“But probably the normal step for Nico will be the Under-21s European Championships this summer and then the doors are open for the first team. I don't see him waiting too much longer if he carries on being important for Rangers - he’ll have a great chance.”
Roberto Martinez spoke during his guest appearance at Beatson Cancer Charity’s annual Sporting Dinner in Glasgow, which raised £138,000.
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