Russell Martin: Nico Raskin 'needs to earn the trust of his teammates' before Rangers return

Rangers head coach Russell Martin says Nicholas Raskin needs to earn the trust of his fellow players before he can return to the team, after confirming the Belgian will not be in the squad to face Hearts.

The Belgian midfielder was left out of the squad to face Celtic last month and has not been a regular starter under the new Rangers boss.

Though Raskin was a key player for Rangers last season, Martin has left him on the sidelines for major matches so far. When questioned last month about the player’s future at Ibrox, Martin denied there had been a breakdown in relationship.

As STV reported on Thursday, talks took place between player and coach after Raskin returned from international duty and martin decided he would not return to the squad for Saturday’s match against Hearts, when the team will be looking for their first league win of the season.

Speaking at his pre-match media conference on Friday morning, Martin said the player has to prove himself before he returns to the side.

“He won’t be in the squad tomorrow,” he said. “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.

“Now he has to make sure he earns the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff in the building to help us win football matches, the same as every player here.

“We have to be on the pitch with trust and feeling and clarity and that’s it.

“I think the most important thing is that Nico knows why, the players know why and we all move forward. We have to win football matches now.

“He’s part of the squad in training and he needs to put himself back in the squad and the team to win matches.”

Raskin enjoyed a successful international break, scoring in Belgium’s 6-0 win over Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying, and while home he gave an interview where he said his position was “complicated” but that he had no intention of leaving Rangers.

Asked what needed to happen for the situation to be resolved, Martin insisted there was no ongoing issue.

“It is resolved because he’s still here and he’s training with the group now,” he said. “It’s fine.

“It’s never a personal thing and it’s always professional.

“My job is to do what I think is best for the team and the club. It’s not about me, it’s not about Nico, it’s about everyone.

“We’ve got a really good group now, a really good squad and we are so happy with it now the transfer window is shut. We’re in a stronger position and I’m excited about what they can achieve now.”