Raskin missing from squad despite Rangers resolution

Russell Martin says any issue with Nico Raskin is resolved

Rangers head coach Russell Martin says Nico Raskin will not be in the squad to face Hearts this weekend despite his situation being "resolved".

The Belgian international was left out of the Ibrox side's 0-0 draw with Celtic before the international break, during which he scored for his country in a 6-0 win over Kazakhstan.

The 24-year-old was one of Rangers' best players last season but has fallen out of favour under the former Scotland defender.

"He won't be in the squad tomorrow," Martin explained.

"We have a lot of conversations, as we do with every player, but he's back training with the squad, which is a good step. And now, like every player really, he has a duty to make sure that he earns the trust of all his other team-mates and the coaching staff and the staff in the building to help us win football matches.

"It's the same for every player here. He obviously played for his country during the week."

Martin is still waiting for his first Premiership win as Rangers head coach following four draws opening his league tenure.

But despite Raskin, who joined from Standard Liege in 2023, being one of the key players since coming to Glasgow, there appears no rush to usher him back into the squad.

"We have to be on the pitch with trust and feeling and clarity and that's it," said Martin.

"And I think the most important thing is that Nico knows why, the players know why, and we all move forward.

"It is resolved because he's still here and he's training with the group now, so it's fine. It's never a personal thing, it's always professional. My job is to do what I feel is best for the team, for the club. It's not about me, it's not about Nico, it's about everyone.

"I think we have to win football matches, it's as simple as that. The fans will be happy if the team is winning matches and playing in a way that they're enjoying and we have to get to that as quickly as we possibly can."

How did it come to this?

Raskin started Rangers' first three games of the season but was left out of the Champions League qualifying 3-0 home win over Viktoria Plzen, following the opening 1-1 Premiership draw with Motherwell.

He impressed off the bench against Dundee in another 1-1 draw with Martin, at the time, stating his delight at his reaction to being taken out of the team.

"His reaction has been top, like really, really brilliant," was the direct quote. He added that Raskin had been affected by "uncertainty" over his future during the summer.

Martin then said that he hoped to get to the end of the transfer window with Raskin still at the club just prior to starting him in the away leg against Plzen.

But despite featuring for the full 90 minutes against Club Brugge at home and St Mirren away, he was dropped from the squad altogether for the visit of Celtic before the international break.

Now, after starting and scoring for Belgium midweek, the midfielder will remain on the sidelines, for now, something that has seemingly infuriated a majority of the support.

What has Raskin's impact been?

Last season, he was arguably Rangers' star man and started to emerge as a key component of the Belgium squad after earning his first call up in March this year.

A stick-on starter at Ibrox during another turbulent campaign domestically, he was influential as Rangers reached the latter stages of the Europa League.

In the Premiership, the former Standard Liege player was joint top in assists with 10, eight out of those coming from open play.

Only three players topped the number of times he won possession, showcasing his ability offensively and defensively. Similarly he was high on the list in terms of tackling.

Sixth on the list of contributors to open play leading to a shot on goal. He was effective all over the park, with a league tally of four goals perhaps one area for improvement.

He was widely recognised within the Rangers support as being a star man in another season littered with disappointment.

It would have been unthinkable then that Raskin would seem expendable, particularly given Rangers' start to the season, for such a vital match this weekend.

How are Rangers fans reacting to Raskin's latest ommission?

We asked for your views on Martin's decision to omit Raskin from the Rangers squad.

Here are some of your comments:

Jordan: We don't actually know anything about the Raskin situation. All we have are soundbites from Neil McCann about Raskin last season. If his attitude has been poor then Martin is handling things the right way.

Andy: Martin can't do anything right. He cares more about his ego than the club and team. Raskin is an excellent player and as such should be involved in our games when fit. Martin as Rangers manager is not fit for purpose and I'd be questioning those that think he's the man for the job such as Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell, who are both as unimpressive as Martin.

Jamie: It's absolutely scandalous. He's by far our best midfielder and is being consistently omitted from the squad. I don't know why he and Martin have fallen out, but when we haven't won any of our first four league games and our best players aren't being played, that's on the manager.

Billy: What a disaster Martin is turning out to be! The problem with Raskin is apparently resolved, but he leaves our best midfielder out of the squad. Unbelievable, but it isn't.

Iain: He is being left out for a reason. The manager obviously has his reasons why this situation has occurred and no player is bigger than the club. Connor Barron and Lyall Cameron look more than capable.

Martin: As a manager you pick your best players, Martin doesn't seem to know who the best players are, he's an awful manager and has a terrible record at every club he's been at, so why we appointed him I have no idea.