Nicolas Raskin to be out of Ibrox in January as Russell Martin set to win Rangers battle
Rangers are facing a problem over star player Nicolas Raskin, amid a feud with under-fire manager Russell Martin.
Raskin will be left out of the Rangers squad to face Hearts, as talks with Martin did not resolve his situation which has seen him become a peripheral figure.
The midfielder is Rangers' best player, and fans are bewildered that he cannot start over some underperforming teammates, despite Raskin starting and scoring for Belgium alongside Kevin de Bruyne.
Raskin was linked with a move away from Rangers in the transfer window, but while there was relief that this never materialised, a January exit is now on the cards.
This article contains exclusive opinion from former Rangers star Derek Ferguson.
Rangers could sell Nicolas Raskin in January
The 24-year-old will have two years left on his contract at the end of the season, and without an extension, a move is inevitable, but it is hoped that Rangers can maximise the fee they receive for him.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson claimed that if Martin cannot reintegrate Raskin then the only option is to sell him, with the manager always coming out on top.
"The manager will always win in these situations. Raskin can't do anything about it if he's being left out," he stated.
"But it can be that some of the better players can potentially pose you problems like this. It's what you're paid to deal with as a manager. It's not just what happens on the field, it's also day-to-day stuff.
"If they can't see eye to eye, then there's only one option, and that's that he leaves in the January transfer window.
"It's not a great scenario because if he's around the training ground and not happy, it's the last thing you need.
"It's a problem that should have been nipped in the bud. But if they can't get him on board soon, which is not looking likely right now, he'll be away in January."
Russell Martin is sabotaging Nicolas Raskin's value
If Martin's intent was to sell Raskin, it should have been done months ago, while his value was high off the back of a good season.
Martin described Raskin as "really good" behind the scenes during the summer when he was linked with an exit, but things have now changed between the manager and the midfielder.
If Raskin has another top campaign with Rangers, and also appears for Belgium at the World Cup, it would increase his value, and the Gers could be looking at a record sale fee.
However, if the midfielder continues to be left out of the squad before being forced out of the club in January, Rangers would have to sell him at a cut price, and Martin's treatment of him could end up costing millions.
Sign up for the Ibrox News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Rangers news sent straight to your phone.