Ally McCoist reveals Nicolas Raskin ‘statement’ that Rangers fans will love from Russell Martin
Russell Martin may have realised the importance of Nicolas Raskin as Rangers beat Hibernian on Saturday.
Ibrox hosted David Gray’s team in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with the Gers beating the visitors 2-0 with goals from the Belgium international and Bojan Miovski in the first half.
Raskin was delighted to be back in Martin’s plans as the Scottish manager managed to reduce some of the pressure around him.
The 39-year-old head coach isn’t wanted by the supporters in G51, with calls for his sacking growing in recent weeks, but there could potentially be a turning point in his situation at the Glaswegian outfit.
Russell Martin to get fans back onside by making Nicolas Raskin Rangers captain
Martin may need to do more than just win games to get some Gers fans to like him, Ally McCoist says.
The Light Blues icon believes that some supporters could potentially change their opinion about the Scottish manager if the 24-year-old midfielder is made the long-term captain at Ibrox.
With James Tavernier currently the first-team captain at the Glaswegian outfit, and the likes of John Souttar and Jack Butland also part of the leadership group, it remains to be seen whether the former Southampton boss will make a change midway through the season.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 22 September, McCoist said: “You’re right in what you’re saying. One of the things he could do that certainly would get a lot, if not a majority, of fans back onside with that decision would be to make Raskin skipper longer term.
“Martin has to definitely keep winning games, but he has to do other things as well to try and attempt to get the fans back on onside. Does it create a problem itself in changing the captain? I’m not so sure. It would be a heck of a statement.”
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Russell Martin at point of no return at Ibrox
Martin seems to be at a point of no return at Ibrox, with a draw or loss in the upcoming matches potentially leading to his exit.
While beating Hibs has afforded the Scottish manager more time in the dugout, his future arguably still isn’t guaranteed at the Gers.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises pull the plug on the former Southampton boss if he’s unable to build on the Hibernian result.
- Martin wanted Raskin to play further forward at the start of the season.
- The Scottish manager has preferred Joe Rothwell as the number six at times.
- The Belgian midfielder was left out of the squad to face Celtic and Hearts.
Martin has a relatively easy test against Genk in the Europa League on 25 September, with the Belgian outfit going through their own struggles.
The Gers fans won’t consider their team the favourites to win any game until the Scottish manager is in the dugout, which is a clear indictment of his tenure.
Supporters will now hope the ex-Saints boss continues to rely on Raskin as the Glaswegian outfit urgently need victories.
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