Martin made the call to drop the usually key duo but it paid off with a 3-0 victory
Russell Martin says James Tavernier and Nico Raskin still have a future at Rangers – despite dropping the big-name duo for their Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen.
The Ibrox boss made a huge call by leaving out his skipper and star midfielder for the impressive 3-0 win over the Czechs.
Djeidi Gassama’s double and a Cyriel Dessers penalty put Rangers in the driving seat ahead of the second leg next week.
While Tavernier and Raskin were left kicking their heels on the bench, Martin’s men produced their best display under him so far.
He admits it was tough to leave out the captain and Belgian international – but is adamant they still have a part to play at the club. Martin said: “I don’t like the word dropped.
“You don’t get dropped from the team, we’re going to need everyone.
“It’s not easy to drop anyone, especially players who have been really important to this team. But as the head coach you have to do what you think is the best for the team to win on the night.
“There’s a tendency to make it a big thing and it’s not at all. We won’t go with the same 11 every week so everyone will need to be ready.
“After Saturday at Motherwell, I realised the team needed something a bit different and I had made my mind up.
“The guys trained like beasts on Sunday morning and tomorrow the guys not in the team will need to do the same.
“We need to live there all the time. No one person is harder than another in terms of the conversation.
“It’s not easy when you care about the players and you want them to do well. But I’m always honest with them on why they’re coming out. They don’t have to agree but hopefully they respect a bit of honesty.
“Their reaction said everything when they came on the pitch. Did it feel like making big decisions? No, I don’t see it like that.
“I judge every moment now. We spoke about everyone having a clean slate so what went on before, I had no control over.
“So it doesn’t hold a lot of weight right now. In football there’s a tendency to look back but we need to be judged on now. It’s not personal, it’s about what was best for us tonight.”
Tavernier has been a virtual ever-present since signing for Rangers a decade ago.
The skipper was left out sporadically for a spell last season under ex-gaffer Philippe Clement but re-established himself in the side and started this term under Martin. But Max Aarons was restored to right-back last night, with Jefte back in the team on the left.
Martin said: “Tav was great [as were] all the lads. I said my piece, if they have a piece to say then it’s really respectful and honest. The way he played when he came on tells you everything you need to know.
“There’s been no problem and I don’t envisage any going forward.”
John Souttar was given the captain’s armband in Tavernier’s absence and Martin was full of praise for the Scotland centre-back.
He only has a year left on his current Ibrox contract and Martin hinted that he wants the club to get him tied down on a new long-term deal.
He said: “John knows how I feel about him. Kevin Thelwell and the gang know how I feel about him.
“He’s been great and I think he’s going to be really important for us. But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here.
“I’ll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it’s not my job to sort that stuff out.”
Rangers’ 3-0 victory over Plzen gives them a great chance of progressing to the play-off round of the Champions League where they’ll meet either Club Brugge or Red Bull Salzburg. But first Martin needs three Premiership points against Dundee at Ibrox this weekend.
He said: “Saturday now needs to be the focus. We have to replicate the energy and intensity we played with tonight and brush up on some bits.
‘We need to try and make sure we put in a performance that builds on this one. I really enjoyed it and I’m proud of the guys.”