Rangers boss Russell Martin has confirmed that Nico Raskin will remain excluded from the first-team squad for Saturday’s match against Hearts at Ibrox.

Raskin was controversially axed for the Old Firm clash with Celtic a fortnight ago and has not been a regular since Martin took charge.

Their relationship has been tense in the first few weeks of the new season. Martin disclosed last month that Raskin had been distracted by interest from other clubs and potential high-value transfers.

Despite having discussions with the Belgian midfielder earlier this week following his return from international duty, Martin has informed Raskin that he must earn the trust of his teammates.

Although Raskin is back in training, Martin confirmed that he will remain out of the matchday squad for the time being, saying, ‘He won’t be in the squad tomorrow.

‘We have a lot of conversations, as we do with every player. Nico is back training with the squad which is a good step.

‘Now he has to ensure he earns the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff to help us win matches, just like every other player here.

‘We need to be on the pitch with trust, feeling, and clarity. The most important thing is that Nico understands the reasons, the players understand the reasons, and we all move forward. We need to win football matches now.

‘He’s part of the squad in training and he needs to put himself back in the squad and the team to win matches.’

Raskin played and scored for Belgium during the international break but gave an interview whilst he was away in which he stated his situation at Rangers is ‘complicated’.

Martin was adamant that the matter is resolved. But, until the player is back in the team, it will continue to be an unwelcome sideshow.

‘It is resolved because he’s still here and he’s training with the group now. It’s fine,’ said Martin, who has failed to win any of his four league matches in charge so far as Rangers have made their worst start to a season in 42 years.

‘It’s never a personal thing and it’s always professional. My job is to do what I think is best for the team and 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 and we are so happy with it now the transfer window is shut. We’re in a stronger position and I’m excited about what they can achieve now.’

Martin also confirmed that deadline-day signings Youssef Chermiti and Derek Cornelius could be in line to make their debuts against Hearts.

Rangers spent £8million to sign Portuguese striker Chermiti from Everton, a fee that could rise to £10m with add-ons, making him the club’s second most expensive ever signing behind Tore Andre Flo.

Cornelius, meanwhile, arrived on a season-long loan from Marseille, with Rangers having an option to buy the Canadian international next summer.

A left-sided defender who can play centre-back or left-back, Cornelius scored a terrific free-kick in a friendly win for Canada against Wales during the international break.

Confident the hefty transfer fee won’t affect Chermiti, Martin said: ‘I think Youssef has tools that you’d really want in a number nine. We can play two number nines now [along with Bojan Miovski].

‘He has good athleticism, is a 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.

‘I think 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.

‘There was a lot of interest throughout Europe in top leagues for him but he was desperate to be here. He knows people we’ve worked with at Southampton and Everton.

‘I don’t think the transfer fee… 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. It’s a long-term investment for the football club, I think it’ll 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.

‘But in here the expectation is that he works as hard as he possibly can. He wants to learn, he wants to grow and he wants to help the team. I think he’ll do really well for us.

‘Derek has played in a style at Marseille in a club with big demand. At Marseille, it’s not easy. I think that will be fine for him here. I think that was one thing we looked at straight away.

‘I spoke to [Canada manager] Jesse Marsch at length about Derek and his character and personality. I think he’s someone we think can really help us.

‘He’s flexible on 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.’