RASKIN HAD LOST FOCUS

Martin insists Belgian is back on track after axe

- By Andy Newport

RUSSELL MARTIN dropped Nico Raskin because he believed the Rangers midfielder's head had been turned by summer transfer speculation.

But the Ibrox manager insists the Belgian remains firmly part of his plans after knuckling down in the wake of his shock omission from last week's Champions League qualifying win over Viktoria Plzen.

Raskin, 24, was Gers' standout performer last term but Martin felt his focus levels had dipped amid talk of a move away from Glasgow.

He is likely to be recalled for tonight's second leg in the Czech Republic, and Martin said: "What Nico did last season, rightly or wrongly, I can't have a feeling about. I can only judge on right now.