Rangers players back Russell Martin’s decision to leave Nico Raskin out of squad to face Celtic | OneFootball

Rangers players are in support of manager Russell Martin’s decision to leave Nico Raskin out of the matchday squad to face Celtic, according to the Scottish Sun.

Rangers host the Hoops at Ibrox on Sunday as they search for their first win of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Bears are desperate to pick up a much-needed win after the 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge during the week, but Martin has decided Raskin will not be involved against Celtic.

The 24-year-old is fully fit and has been training with the rest of his Rangers teammates having also been called up by Belgium for the games next month.

However, his conduct behind the scenes has left Martin with no choice, with the Light Blues boss holding talks with the Belgian on Friday morning and telling him he would play no part in the derby.

Rangers backroom staff and senior figures within the squad have backed the decision and given it the thumbs up.

Raskin could be on his way out ahead of the summer transfer deadline on Monday, with Real Betis and Wolverhampton Wanderers monitoring the situation.

Hamza Igamane, Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz have left Rangers in recent days, and the Belgian could be next in a deal which could fetch the Bears around £10 million.

Martin is under pressure following a woeful start to his Ibrox reign, and a defeat to Celtic could see him lose his job.

Rangers fans are asking when, and not, if he will be sacked, and Jose Mourinho could be the perfect replacement for him after the Portuguese was shown the exit door by Fenerbahce.

The Light Blues need a manager capable of giving Celtic a run for their money, and breaking the bank to get the legendary tactician could be a smart move given what he brings to the table.