How Rangers' Last-Minute Match Squad Inclusion Blocked Nicolas Raskin's Move to Beşiktaş

A latest update by TransferFeed revealed the reason behind a fallout in negotiations between Beşiktaş and Rangers for the transfer of Nicolas Raskin this summer. 

The Turkish outfit's president, Serdal Adalı, explained that they received the green light from the Gers to negotiate with the player, who initially accepted the transfer. Beşiktaş reached an agreement with Rangers and Raskin late in the transfer window and had hours to officially complete his signing. 

The 25-year-old could have travelled to Turkey to put pen to paper on a Beşiktaş contract, but he found himself sitting on the team bus for the 1 September 2026 match against Falkirk while talks were in advanced stages. The Istanbul-based club readied the paperwork and other bureaucratic details, even booking the flight for Raskin to arrive at the club's facilities on deadline day. However, he never boarded the plane as he found himself named in Rangers' matchday squad against Falkirk. 

This matchday inclusion changed his heart as he ultimately rejected the offer from Beşiktaş. Adalı stated that Rangers head coach Derek McInnes blocked the move, as he wanted Raskin to continue at the club. As he played in the following match, there was no time left for the Vincenzo Italiano-led side to arrange medical examinations and signatures within the stipulated time. 

Raskin considered the matter 'to be closed', but kept the door open to leaving Rangers in subsequent transfer windows. Beşiktaş are expected to come again during the winter window for his signature, and it is set to be an early approach rather than a late one to avoid the summer difficulties. 

In other news, as reported by Roundtable, former Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson revealed his role behind bringing midfielder Dan Neil to the club. The Englishman became a free agent after spending the second half of last season on loan at EFL Championship side Ipswich Town from his parent club Sunderland. As the club ambassador, Ferguson was handed the task of convincing Neil, who was seen as a talented engine room specialist by the Rangers scouting department. 

Following the efforts of Ferguson and his compatriots, Neil ultimately signed for the Gers this summer on a three-year contract. Despite a slow start to the new campaign, he made his mark by wearing the captain's armband in the Scottish League Cup quarter final against Celtic, scoring twice to help his team win the Old Firm by a 3-0 scoreline.