RASKIN FOR TROUBLE

Ibrox exit looming for Nico as Martin refuses to confirm if Belgian will be in squad for big derby

- By Ronnie Esplin

RUSSELL MARTIN failed to clear up uncertainty surrounding Nico Raskin ahead of Rangers’ crunch game against Celtic tomorrow.

It is believed the 24-year-old midfielder is not part of the planning for the visit of the champions to Ibrox, despite being fully fit and included in Belgium’s national squad for their games against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan next week.

Raskin, one of the Gers’ best players last season, started on the bench in Wednesday’s humiliating 6-0 defeat by Club Brugge in Belgium which resulted in a 9-1 aggregate defeat in the Champions League playoffs.

Afterwards, Martin cast doubt on the player's future, while Raskin’s dad, Thierry, reportedly criticised the under-fire Gers boss on social media.

Martin was asked in yesterday’s media conference on several occasions about Raskin, first of all about whether he would be in the squad.

He said: “Everyone’s here and available and the squad and the team will be picked on what we believe is the best way to win the game.

“Nico was in training today. I just said to you, the whole squad is here.