For Russell Martin, there is no respite from the aggression and the gloom, the severe questioning of his worth as Rangers manager and the probing about his relationship with certain players; the club’s best performer from last season, Nico Raskin, chief among them.
At the Rangers training centre on Friday, the manager wanted to look forward, not back.
“It’s just time for action,” he said of Celtic’s visit to Ibrox on Sunday, but the mood wasn’t about Celtic or the first Old Firm derby of the season.
It was about the malaise at the club, the humiliation in Bruges midweek, the fact that Rangers are winless in the Scottish Premiership after three games and the cold reality of a support about to burst into flames, such is their thunder.
And for a chunk of it, it was about Raskin.
Martin walked into the room and barely before his backside had hit the seat he was grilled about the lesser-spotted midfielder and all the rumours circulating.
Given that Raskin’s father has weighed-in with condemnatory words about Martin’s supposed treatment of his son, this was coming.
And it was uncomfortable and not at all clear as to what, precisely, is going on with the Belgium international. Is he in or out? Is he playing on Sunday or not? Has he been banished to the margins? Does he have a future at the club?
“Is Nico Raskin in the squad for Sunday,” Martin was asked.
“Yeah, everyone’s here, everyone’s available and the squad and the team will be picked on what we think is the best way to win the game.”
A follow-up: “So, just for clarity, Nico trained today and is…”
“Nico is in training today, yes.” Martin replied.
“And he’s in the squad for Sunday?”
“I’ve just said to you, the whole squad is here, things can change, the transfer window’s open so I can’t tell you anyone’s going to definitely be in the squad at all.”
But he had already suggested Raskin was in the squad. Hence, another follow-up.
“You’ll get exactly the same answer,” said the Rangers manager. Or exactly the same coyness, perhaps.
