NICOLAS RASKIN had an idea of what to expect from Ryan Kent after seeing him become the 'famous image' of Rangers on the road to Seville.
Now the Belgian has urged the 'best player' at Ibrox to commit his future to the club after seeing him up close and personal and being blown away by his quality.
Raskin arrived in Glasgow during the January transfer window as he became the second signing of boss Michael Beale's squad rebuild.
He has made an impressive start to life at Ibrox himself and has quickly shown that he has the potential to be a stalwart of the side for several seasons to come.
And he is eager to see Kent secure his place in the Beale blueprint by ending any doubts over his future and putting pen-to-paper on a new long-term deal with the Light Blues.
Raskin said: "Honestly, he is the only guy I knew when I was a young kid. He was famous in Europe as well. I’m enjoying playing with him a lot.
"He’s so good. When he’s got the ball at his feet, it’s almost unbelievable and impossible to take the ball off him. It’s hard to play against him in training but it’s very good to play with him.
"I watched Rangers last season on their European run. Everyone watched the team last season. He was the famous image of Rangers in Europe.
"Of course I want him to stay here so I can play with him for a long time. I think he is very important for the team.
"If we want to achieve something we need to keep all of our best players — and he’s the best player. We need him here."
Kent has been one of the most influential figures at Ibrox throughout his Rangers career after an initial loan move turned into a £7million switch from Liverpool in 2019.
He is now in the final months of the deal that he signed that summer but he continues to make an impression after living up to the expectations of Rangers' latest recruit.
Raskin said: "I remember the goal he scored against Celtic. When he came inside and shot. Honestly I don’t know why, but he was the only guy I knew.
"I know the Borussia Dortmund game but whenever I talked about Rangers I talked about this Ryan Kent.
"Maybe it’s because he always surprised me playing with short shirt sleeves and gloves. I’ve spoken to Ryan and I’ve also spoken to him about his shot.
"He’s a top player and he is inspiring as well. When I came to Rangers I saw him working hard every day in the gym, working to be fit.
"He’s a very good professional and that’s why he is so good. I want to learn from him."
Raskin completed his move from Standard Liege just days after Beale secured the services of playmaker Todd Cantwell from Norwich City.
The midfield duo have quickly formed a relationship on the park and bond off it and supporters have noticed a blossoming bromance on their respective social media channels.
"That’s the description," Raskin said when asked if Cantwell had become his buddy. "I think everyone in my buddy, Ianis, Rabbi, the team is very close and we all help each other. I couldn’t imagine a better atmosphere.
‘Of course that’s important to help you settle in. If you come over here and you don’t talk to nobody and you don’t laugh it can be difficult when you’re new. I was imagining it to be more difficult [to settle in] than it has been. The boys are very good and I’m very happy.
"We don’t spend so much time together away from training because Todd lives so far away from me.
"We used to play PlayStation together in the afternoon and we pass time together when we are here [at the training centre].
"We are fans of UFC and we were playing UFC. It’s good to have some contact outside the club also. Who wins? Ask Todd who wins…"
