Gers simply Raskin for trouble if line isn't drawn to get best back for monster challenge

One look at impact for Belgium shows urgency of Nico being on board again for Jambos

- BY FRASER WILSON

ONE of Russell Martin's biggest tests as Rangers manager lies ahead in the coming days.

Not Saturday's clash with Hearts, although that Ibrox showdown with Derek McInnes’ high fliers is clearly a monster examination of where Martin's side are heading.

But that will have to wait for now.

That's because to have the best chance of turning his misfiring start in the dugout around in the must-win clash with the Jambos, Martin first needs to sit down and sort out the rift with his star man.

The player who can make Rangers tick more than any other available to the under-fire manager right now - Nico Raskin.

The delicacy of the situation, which saw the midfielder bombed out of the squad ahead of last month's Old Firm clash, might well call for diplomacy of international-relations proportions.

But one look at the 24-year-old's impact in Europe this week shows the urgency of the situation facing Martin and Rangers.

More specifically, one glance at Belgium's midfield five that hit Kazakhstan for six on Sunday night.

Raskin, at No.6, playing alongside Youri Tielemans and behind Kevin De Bruyne flanked by Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard.

That's an elite middle third in which Rudi Garcia was more than happy to trust Raskin to take his place. And that is the level the player now believes he belongs.

That's why, for all his opinions and questioning of what he's being asked to do by a manager, Martin should be trying to embrace the quality at the same time as keeping the player's ego in check.