Belgium Under-21s manager Jacky Mathijssen wants to see Rangers target Nicolas Raskin find a new club this month – and believes the midfielder can thrive at Ibrox.

Raskin is currently playing for Standard Liege in his homeland but has struggled for game-time lately, last appearing in a 3-2 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in November.

The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season and after an argument with his manager, former Celtic boss Ronny Deila, Raskin has found himself out of the team.

Michael Beale is believed to be chasing a pre-contract agreement for the 21-year-old to move to Glasgow on a free transfer this summer.

With the Under-21 European Championships taking place this summer, Mathijssen is hopeful of a speedy resolution to the player’s situation – or Raskin could miss the tournament altogether.

“Of course Nico's situation at Standard is a concern,” he told the Daily Record.

“I know he realises too that if he wants to be part of our Under-21 squad for the Euros this summer he needs to be playing.

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“It’s very important for me as well as Nico that he finds a good club. Hopefully it’s sorted as soon as possible.”

Rangers supporters will be a little familiar with Raskin – the midfielder was brought on for the last 20 minutes of a Europa League fixture between Standard and the Govan outfit at Ibrox in December 2020 – and Mathijssen is confident that the player could thrive at Ibrox.

The former Club Brugge boss is assisted by former Rangers midfielder Thomas Buffel in the Belgian youth set-up and he expects the Ibrox fan favourite to be in touch, should the move go through.

“The Rangers fans will be delighted if he goes to Glasgow,” added Mathijssen. “He’s a player who is always all-in.

“He’s got a good heart, is always ready to work but has excellent technique too and is very flexible tactically.

"He can play No.8, he can play in the pockets. That’s how he plays for me in the Under-21s.

“He’s very young but his potential is high. My assistant Thomas played in Glasgow with Rangers and he knows very well the pressures there so I’m sure he’ll be in touch as soon as this is made official to help him.”