Russell Martin must settle Nicolas Raskin feud now after Rangers developments
Russel Martin is set for a make-or-break run of fixtures as Rangers finally look to get their season underway.
Martin is under huge pressure at Ibrox, as Rangers are winless in the Scottish Premiership and were knocked out of the Champions League playoffs.
A busy transfer window has shown that, whilst the new Ibrox board has backed Martin, he needs to get the best out of his new arrivals quickly.
With a tough set of fixtures coming up, Martin needs to get results fast and will need to rely on his new signings and star players.
Nico Raskin feud must settle for the benefit of the team
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Falkirk first team coach Stephen McGinn believes that Raskin is one of the most important players in the Rangers squad.
“It’s an opportunity for him to fight for his place because I have Raskin as Rangers’ best midfielder.
“The strongest Rangers team that Martin could put out would have Raskin in it.”
Martin’s feud with Raskin has perhaps contributed to the terrible form, with the Belgian left out of the Old Firm Derby squad.
The 2024/25 season was the best of Raskin’s career, and a reconciliation with Martin could help this campaign become even better.
- Raskin made 48 appearances in all competitions for Rangers
- He registered 16 goal contributions in all competitions for Rangers
- Was called up to the Belgium squad for the first time, making his first appearance for his country
His form last season meant he was linked with many clubs around Europe, and an Ibrox exit looked likely.
McGinn said: “I wouldn’t have been surprised if he left before the window shut in terms of him not being the manager’s cup of tea.
“For the good of Rangers, that needs to settle down.”
Raskin will now return to Ibrox looking to regain his place in the side, and a milestone achievement on international duty means Raskin should be in good spirits.
Nico Raskin scores first goal for Belgium
Despite being frozen out at Rangers, Raskin completed a career milestone for Belgium during the international break.
Raskin scored his first goal for Belgium in a 6-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier.
Raskin was on the end of Jeremy Doku’s low cross, sliding in at the back post.
Raskin has made five caps for his country, and with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the 24-year-old will need to be playing regularly at club level in order to make the plane to North America.
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