# Raskin Fires Cryptic Jab at Martin in Fiery Ibrox Return
**Glasgow, September 20, 2025** – In a match that crackled with tension, Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin marked his dramatic return to the starting lineup with a goal and a man-of-the-match display, but it was his post-match social media post that truly ignited Ibrox. The Belgian’s one-word reaction – “Finally” – landed like a thunderclap, widely interpreted as a sly dig at manager Russell Martin, who had frozen him out for three games amid a bitter fallout.
The 2-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win over Hibernian propelled Rangers into the semi-finals, with Raskin’s 28th-minute opener – a composed finish after a surging run – setting the tone. New signing Bojan Miovski added a second in the 62nd minute, easing some pressure on Martin. Yet, the atmosphere was anything but celebratory. Fans staged protests outside Ibrox before kickoff, demanding Martin’s sacking alongside chief executive Patrick Stewart, with banners and beach balls disrupting play inside the stadium. It marked Rangers’ worst league start in 47 years, following a humiliating 6-0 Champions League playoff loss to Club Brugge.
Raskin’s exile stemmed from a clash with Martin, who demanded the 24-year-old “regain the trust” of teammates and staff after clear-the-air talks involving sporting director Kevin Thelwell. Supporters sided firmly with Raskin, viewing him as a vital cog in midfield. His performance – dictating play, creating chaos, and earning an embrace from Martin on substitution – only amplified the irony.
Post-match, Raskin’s smirking Instagram story simply read “Finally,” accompanied by a photo of his goal celebration. It exploded across social media, with fans hailing it as a “subtle masterstroke” and pundits calling it a “bold statement.” One X user quipped: “Nico’s got the last laugh – Martin’s on borrowed time.”
Martin, speaking to Premier Sports, praised his prodigal son: “Nico was brilliant. The role suits him. Maybe this was necessary for his growth – and mine.” He dismissed the protests as “not personal” and revealed a hug from US-based chairman Andrew Cavenagh, insisting the squad is “stuck together.” But whispers persist: Raskin’s heroics may have bought Martin breathing room, yet the fanbase’s fury shows no signs of abating.
As Rangers eye Hampden in November, Raskin’s return feels like a turning point – or a powder keg. Ibrox rocks, but on whose foundations? One thing’s clear: the Belgian’s not done speaking his mind.
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