Russell Martin keeps Nico Raskin out of Rangers squad, says midfielder must 'earn the trust'

Rangers manager Russell Martin confirmed Friday that Nico Raskin will remain excluded from the first-team squad for Saturday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts at Ibrox, saying the Belgium midfielder must "earn the trust" of team-mates and coaching staff before returning to matchday selection.

Raskin, 22, was controversially dropped from the squad ahead of the Old Firm match against Celtic two weeks ago and has not been a regular since Martin took charge. The player returned from international duty during the break and scored for Belgium, but a comment he made while away that his situation at Rangers was "complicated" has added to the tension between player and manager. Martin said Raskin is back training with the group but will not be involved on Saturday.

"He won't be in the squad tomorrow," Martin said. "Nico is back training with the squad which is a good step. Now he has to make sure he earns the trust of his team-mates and the coaching staff in the building to help us win football matches, the same as every player here." Martin added that the matter is "resolved" in the sense that Raskin remains a Rangers player and is training with the group.

The standoff followed reported interest in Raskin from clubs across Europe and talk of a big-money move during the transfer window. Rangers had been open to offers but held on to the midfielder despite what Martin described as only "a couple of tentative offers" on deadline day. The manager said conversations with Raskin and other players are routine and framed his selection decision as professional rather than personal.

Martin confirmed the club's deadline-day signings, Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti and Canadian defender Derek Cornelius, could be in line to make their debuts against Hearts. Chermiti was signed from Everton for an initial £8 million fee that could rise to £10m with add-ons, making him Rangers' second most expensive signing behind Tore André Flo. Cornelius arrived on a season-long loan from Marseille with an option to buy and has experience playing at international level, including a free-kick goal for Canada in a friendly during the break.

"I think Youssef has tools that you’d really want in a number nine," Martin said. "We can play two number nines now [along with Bojan Miovski]. He has good athleticism, is a great kid, wants to learn, brilliant record at youth level. We’ll judge him on here and now and what he does for us." On Cornelius, Martin said he had spoken with Canada manager Jesse Marsch and valued the defender's character and positional flexibility.

Martin's team have struggled for form since his appointment, failing to win any of their first four league matches and recording their worst start to a season in 42 years. With the transfer window closed, Martin said he was pleased with the assembled squad and focused on improving results.

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

Until Raskin is reintegrated into the matchday squad, his situation will remain a distraction for a club seeking immediate improvement on the pitch. Martin indicated the path back is clear: consistent training performances, restored trust within the dressing room and selection on merit.