
Raskin Demands ‘Love’ From New Rangers Boss After Martin Fallout
Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin has broken his silence on the turbulent start to the season under axed manager Russell Martin, stating he wants to “feel the love” from the club’s next permanent head coach. The Belgian international’s comments, made while on duty with his national team, underscore the turbulent atmosphere that led to Martin’s dismissal and hints at the kind of leadership he believes the squad now requires.
The Martin-Raskin Rift
Raskin’s relationship with Russell Martin had been under intense scrutiny, particularly after the midfielder was dropped from the first-team squad following the club’s humiliating 6-0 loss in the Champions League play-off. The fallout from that disastrous result, coupled with a poor start to the domestic campaign that left the club languishing in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership, eventually cost Martin his job.
Speaking candidly after Belgium’s 4-2 victory over Wales, Raskin admitted, “It’s not a secret, it’s been a tough time for me at the start of the season.” He was clear about what he felt was missing from the recent managerial setup: “Feeling the love of the manager is top for me.”
The 24-year-old was frozen out of Martin’s plans for several key fixtures before being recalled, notably scoring in the League Cup win against Hibernian. Despite the temporary truce, Martin’s tenure was cut short after just 123 days, paving the way for a new era at Ibrox.
A Plea for Unity and Support
Raskin’s remarks are more than a personal grievance; they reflect a broader desire for stability and a supportive environment within the Rangers dressing room. With the managerial search in full swing—and Kevin Muscat currently understood to be the frontrunner—Raskin is emphasizing the need for a connection with the man in the dugout.
“Now it’s time to go back and help my team to sort things out,” Raskin stressed, acknowledging the interim situation. “Everyone knows we don’t have a manager right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m going back to figure out what the plan is.”
Crucially, the midfielder also made a point of thanking the Rangers support for their unwavering backing during his personal struggles. “When I go back I want to give everything to the club. They give me so much,” he said. “If you look at the tough time I had, the fans support me and give me so much love. So I can only try to give them everything back.”
Fans Deserve Better
The midfielder remains committed to turning the season around despite the poor start. Rangers sit in a disappointing position in the league table, and the immediate task for any new manager will be to lift the morale and performance levels of the squad.
“It’s been a difficult start. We have to do better,” Raskin concluded. “We need to see what’s going to happen then hopefully we can settle things down and have a decent season. There’s loads to play for.”
His final words focused on the faithful at Ibrox: “Our fans deserve a lot. They are so good home and away and as a team we need to give them something back.”
The clear demand for a strong, supportive relationship from the next manager lays down a marker. Any incoming boss will know that unifying the squad and ensuring key players like Raskin feel valued will be paramount to success as they attempt to salvage the season and close the gap on
their rivals.
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