Midfielder Nicolas Raskin can step into John Lundstram's role as Rangers "enforcer" against Celtic believes pundit Tam McManus.
Michael Beale has seen his midfield options rapidly dwindle ahead of the massive Viaplay Cup final showpiece with Lundstram, Malik Tillman, Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack all doubts for the showdown with Ange Postecoglou's holders. That has meant the Ibrox boss has been forced to throw Raskin in at the deep end with starts in the Scottish Cup showdown with Partick Thistle and Premiership clash with Livingston, with Celtic just around the corner.
The Belgian under-21 ace went two months without making an appearance for former club Standard Liege following a contract dispute, but former Hibs striker McManus reckons the midfielder is ready to step into the void left by Lundstram on derby day and partner Glen Kamara in the centre of the park. He insists that missing Bayern Munich loanee Tillman would be the biggest blow for the Light Blues going into the showdown at Hampden.
McManus told PLZ: "I think the only one out of those four that they would be worried about is Tillman. I don't think Lundstram, Arfield, Jack; would they really have played anyway if they were fully fit?
"Kamara would probably play. I think the main one Rangers would want out of those three it Tillman. He has given Rangers a lot this year and the other three they would be fine with."
When it was put to him that without Lundstram that Rangers would be going without "an enforcer" by host Peter Martin, he said: "They have got Raskin. They will have have Kamara.
"They have both played against Livingston and could play with Tillman in front. I think Tillman is the only one out of those four that they would really miss."
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