'Disgrace' - Rangers fans accuse Russell Martin of 'lying' over Nico Raskin pre-Celtic
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Fri 29 August 2025 20:59, UK
Russell Martin is facing yet more anger and frustration as Rangers prepare for a fueled Old Firm derby against Celtic.
Both sides are fresh out of being knocked out of Champions League qualifiers, with the Gers being demolished by Club Brugge while Brendan Rodgers‘ side failed to score against Kairat Almaty.
Despite losing 9-1 on aggregate, Football Insider understands that Rangers are unlikely to sack Martin ahead of the clash at Ibrox on Sunday, 31 August, with just a 33 per cent win rate.
Serious questions were raised when Nico Raskin was dropped from the starting lineup against Club Brugge, with fans begging for the Belgian to be reinstated to midfield when facing the Hoops.
The manager was grilled about that exact prospect during his pre-match press conference on Friday, 29 August, before reiterating that no decisions had been made on the squad for Sunday.
However, according to the Rangers Review (29 August), the 24-year-old will play no part in the Old Firm derby after training away from the squad, despite the manager’s quotes today.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Raskin, who has been heavily linked with a Rangers exit, has been one of the most important members of the squad over the last 18 months, notching five goals and 11 assists across all competitions last term.
Having now been dropped multiple times, Raskin’s father has made his feelings clear about Martin’s reign at Ibrox so far, with the Gers only winning three out of 10 games under the new boss’ reign.
His absence could mean Joe Rothwell being joined in the middle of the park by Lyall Cameron, Mohamed Diomande, Thelo Aasgaard, or even Connor Barron, who wore the captain’s armband in pre-season.
Without Raskin, the Gers could be completely overrun by their direct rivals, and now, reacting to the latest update, it is fair to say that supporters are even more furious with the manager’s decisions.
Multiple supporters accused the former Southampton figure of lying, while another labelled him a “total fraud,” and a third called the entire situation “an absolute joke” ahead of the Old Firm derby.
Time is quickly running out for Martin to turn his fortunes around at Ibrox, and if the Light Blues taste defeat at the hands of Celtic on Sunday, it could be all over for the 39-year-old.