Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin was controversially omitted from the starting lineup for the 2-1 defeat to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday.
Manager Michael Beale opted to start John Lundstram ahead of the Belgian and the decision failed to pay off as the Hoops dominated the midfield.
There was an instant difference when Raskin was introduced midway through the second half but it ultimately proved to be too late, leaving fans on Twitter wondering why the 22-year-old wasn’t in the eleven:
Wrong call to not start him 😔
— Jason McMullan 🇬🇧 (@JasonMcMullanUK) February 26, 2023
Too late..! 🤬🤬😤
— John Boy (@JohnCam91195800) February 26, 2023
Who knew….
— Dave M (@davidjrm) February 26, 2023
Said it, this is on Beale. Kamara should never have started before Raskin.
— Jamie W (@j1mb0w2079) February 26, 2023
Maybe he should have started like@just about everyone thought
— montehcabros (@monthegoats) February 26, 2023
Beale got his starting 11 wrong
— Rino's Scowl (@rino1872) February 26, 2023
Almost as if he should have started the game
— Ian Bru (@mrhaaappyface) February 26, 2023
As the saying goes “hindsight is 20/20” and Beale will probably admit himself that he made the wrong decision to leave out Raskin.
To be fair, the midfield was not the only problem for the Light Blues. Every player was below their best, particularly in the first half, which is bizarre considering the importance placed on a fast start. The team will be regretting not leaving everything out on the pitch.