NICO DUMPED FOR BIG DERBY

FROM BACK PAGE

- 

against Brendan Rodgers’ side, despite being fully fit and available.

Under-pressure Martin refused to confirm at his pre-match press conference if Raskin would feature or not.

After Record Sport revealed on Thursday night that the 24-year-old’s place was under threat, Rangers sources then claimed he was carrying an injury from Wednesday night's Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.

Martin now says he is fit ahead of the Celtic clash. But we understand Raskin trained away from the rest of the first team.

After a meeting with the manager this morning he was disappointed to be told he wouldn't be involved. It's understood Raskin was ready to face Celtic. He was even included in Belgium's squad today for games against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan next week.

It’s the gaffer’s second standoff with a player in a week, after Hamza Igamane refused to play for him against St Mirren in Paisley before eventually being sold to Lille.