The loan man turned in an impressive display in Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final win at Hampden

When Nico Raskin looks at his manager, he sees a man who lives and breathes for Rangers.

That’s why he recognised Saturday’s trip to Hampden had the potential to suck the air right out of Derek McInnes’ chest. Having spent 20 years striving to work his way back to the club he loves the Light Blues boss now stands six weeks away from his shot at getting his hands on his first Ibrox trophy.

But to reach that date with destiny in next month’s Premier Sports Cup final, first Gers had to take care of Stephen Robinson’s stubborn Aberdeen side. With the Dons in dismal Premiership form, their Hampden showdown against McInnes’ team offered the Reds the chance to set a new narrative at Pittodrie.

That in itself threatened to make the job all the harder for Rangers as they came up against a team with all to play for and little to lose as they sought to knock the wind out of the Ibrox side’s sails. But with Ryan Naderi tapping home with six minutes left, both Raskin and his boss could breathe easy as they earned the 1-0 win which booked a return trip to Mount Florida for the final. Now Raskin hopes the Gers can give McInnes the opportunity to inhale another winning moment on December 13.

The buzzing Belgian midfielder said: “It feels top to reach the final. It's really good for the team. But now we want to win it and there's one game to go. Now we go full force to win the cup. I know what this will mean for the manager too - 100 percent. He breathes Rangers and he gives that to us. It's so good to have someone like him driving us every day and on the pitch. I'm delighted for him and hopefully we can win it for him too.”

McInnes could have resorted to hot air and bullish bluster in the dressing room before kick-off in an attempt to stir his team’s passion levels. But Raskin explained it was a cool and composed team talk from the boss as he made sure to get the key messages through.

"He told us that it wasn't going to be easy, that if we turn up and do everything we have to do, then we'd win the game,” said the midfield man. "We couldn't come out with complacency and think it would be easy to score four goals. It's a hard game that isn't easy to win, so we have to enjoy it when we do.

“If you think you're going to have an easy game, come out and win 4-0, you're wrong. The other team is coming with a plan and it's a big game for them, also. It's not easy to win football games. So you go out and give the best performance you can. We won, so we're very happy.

“The manager is quite straight-forward. He knows what he wants to say when he talks to us. He knows how to adapt the game when circumstances are changing and tries to prepare us in the best way. Then it's up to us to take his message on and play the way he wants."

No-one performed better at Hampden than Badredine Bouanani. The Stuttgart loanee did everything but score on an evening in which he repeatedly twisted one way then the other, torturing the Dons defence with his clever footwork.

Keeper Marius Muller did well to keep out a couple of his stinging drives but in the end, it was a close-range tap-in from Naderi that got the job done as the Czech international diverted James Penrice’s mis-hit shot into the back of the net.

Former Bundesliga star Bouanani didn’t get the goal he deserved but Raskin insists its only a matter of time before the Algerian and his fellow midfield creators Minsu Kim and Djeidi Gassama are splashing their names across the scoresheet.

Hailing Bouanani, he said: "He didn't play at such a high level for nothing. He's a top player. Having him, Gassama, Minsu, Findlay Curtis, it's just great to have some one-vs-one pace on the side and going forward.

"Bouanani is top. These guys are desperate to score - but then you have Ryan scoring with his knee! I spoke to Minsu and he said to me, 'When I get in front of the goal, I just want to score!' Maybe sometimes it's just about relaxing, taking a deep breath and scoring the goal.

"I mean I'm not a goalscorer! I just give advice like people that don't play football give advice to people! Listen, for the team they do so many good things. They work so hard defensively and create so many chances. It feels so good to have them."

With skipper Lawrence Shankland injured and vice-captain Dan Neil surprisingly dropped to the bench, the honour of leading Gers out at the National Stadium was handed to Raskin.

Asked how it felt to be given the armband, he said: "It was good, a really enjoyable moment. The gaffer told me before the game and it was good for me, and good that we won. I'm very happy for the team and for everyone. It was sometimes difficult. If we scored earlier, we could have had more control of the game. At 0-0 or 1-0, it's always a more tense game. We're just delighted to win.”