Nicolas Raskin issues ‘resolved’ but he is not in Rangers’ squad to face Hearts

Russell Martin insists any issues with Nicolas Raskin are “resolved” but revealed the Rangers midfielder is not part of his squad for the visit of Hearts.

The 24-year-old Belgium international, who starred for the Light Blues last season, was left out of the goalless Old Firm clash at Ibrox before the international break.

After scoring his first international goal in a 6-0 win over Kazakhstan in Brussels, Raskin declared that he wanted to return to Govan and resolve a “complicated” situation at the Ibrox club.

However, at his pre-match media conference at the Rangers Training Centre, boss Martin said: “He won’t be in the squad tomorrow.

“We have had a lot of conversations, as we do with every player. But he’s back training with the squad, which is a good step.

“And now, like every player, he has a duty to make sure that he earns the trust of all his other team-mates and the coaching staff and staff in the building to help us win football matches, it is the same for every player here.

“Everyone needs to be on the pitch with trust and feeling and clarity, and that’s it.

“The most important thing is Nico knows why and the players know why.

“And we all move forward and we have to win football matches now.

“It is resolved, because he’s still here, and he’s training with the group now, so it’s fine.

“It is never a personal thing, it’s always professional.

“My job is to do the best for a team, for the club. It’s not about me, it’s not about Nico, it’s about everyone.

“We’ve got a really good group now, a really good squad. We’re so happy with it.

“After the transfer window closed, we are in such a stronger position and I’m really excited about what this group can go on and achieve.”

Martin added Canada defender Derek Cornelius on loan from Marseille and striker Youssef Chermiti from Everton for a reported fee of £8million – Rangers’ second-highest transfer fee – and both go into the squad.

Asked if he was confident that Chermiti can handle the expectation generated by his transfer fee, Martin said: “One, I’m not in charge of that which is a beautiful thing to come out and say to you guys. The other thing is, it doesn’t come into my thinking really.

“It’s a long-term investment for the football club, I think it will be a brilliant investment for the football club.

“I think he’ll do extremely well for us. There won’t be any expectation on him in here, I’m sure externally maybe that changes.

“He wants to learn, he wants to grow and he wants to help the team.

“Youssef has tools that you’d really want in a number nine. Good athleticism. Great kid. Wants to learn. Brilliant record at youth level.

“He hasn’t really had the chance he probably wanted at first-team level yet. Obviously in the toughest league in the world as well.

“We’ll judge him on here and now and what he does for us.

“We’re really excited to have him in because he’s a seriously talented player.

“I spoke to Jesse Marsch (Canada boss) at length about Derek and his character and personality.

“I think he’s someone who think can really help us. He’s flexible along the back four as well.

“We’ll be able to tweak shape a bit more than we have done now with the additions we’ve got. It’s exciting for us.”