Russell Martin faces increasing criticism as Rangers manager, with former players and fan groups calling for his removal. The team’s poor performances and tactical decisions have drawn widespread scrutiny, putting Martin’s future at Ibrox in serious doubt.
Russell Martin's tenure as Rangers head coach continues to face intense scrutiny, with former players Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd adding their voices to the growing chorus of criticism. The pressure is mounting on Martin as Rangers struggle to find form, and the patience of the Ibrox faithful wears thin.
Barry Ferguson, a Rangers legend, didn't mince words when discussing Martin's approach. Ferguson suggested that instead of taking the players for a leisurely swim in Loch Lomond, Martin should be subjecting them to rigorous training sessions. "They should be working hard on the training pitch," Ferguson stated, implying that Martin's methods are too relaxed for a club with Rangers' ambitions. His remarks, originally aired on Go Radio, have been widely circulated and amplified by outlets like The Scottish Sun, fueling the narrative of a manager out of touch with the demands of the job.
Kris Boyd, another former Rangers striker, echoed Ferguson's sentiments, expressing his skepticism about Martin's ability to win back the support of the Rangers fans. Boyd argued that the team's performances have been consistently subpar, and the manager has failed to inspire the players. "I don't see how he can turn this around," Boyd said in a scathing assessment published by The Sun. "The fans are losing patience, and rightly so. The results aren't there, and the performances are even worse."
Adding to the criticism, Greg Stewart, a former Rangers forward, delivered a particularly damning verdict on Martin's impact on the team. "He's made every player worse," Stewart claimed, highlighting a perceived lack of improvement in individual performances under Martin's guidance. Stewart further suggested that even a world-class striker like Erling Haaland would struggle in the current Rangers setup due to the lack of quality service from midfield. His remarks, reported by the Daily Record, painted a bleak picture of the team's attacking prowess and Martin's tactical approach.
The discontent extends beyond former players and pundits. The Union Bears, a prominent Rangers fan group, have publicly called for the immediate removal of both Russell Martin and chief executive Patrick Stewart. Their statement, also reported by The Scottish Sun, reflects the growing frustration among the Rangers support base, who are demanding significant changes at the club.
Even those outside the Rangers camp are weighing in on the situation. Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday, a former Rangers player himself, suggested that the club's board's stance towards Russell Martin could shift if fans begin to boycott games in protest. Halliday's comments, reported by Clyde 1 and the Daily Record, hint at the potential for fan activism to influence the club's decision-making process.
Amidst the turmoil, there are other Rangers-related stories emerging. Archie Stevens, a 19-year-old winger, has signed for Arsenal after leaving Rangers at the end of last season, according to talkSPORT. Ross McCausland, currently on loan at Aris Limassol from Rangers, scored his first goal for the Cypriot club in a win over league rivals Olympiakos, as reported by The Scottish Sun. These developments offer glimpses of the future and the club's extended network, but they do little to alleviate the immediate pressure on Russell Martin.
The criticism isn't confined to those directly involved with Rangers. Hearts head coach Derek McInnes revealed that even his own son questioned the merits of Harry Milne being deployed wide on the right against Rangers, a tactical decision that proved crucial in Hearts' victory at Ibrox. McInnes' anecdote, published in the Edinburgh Evening News, underscores the widespread scrutiny of Rangers' performances and tactical decisions.
Meanwhile, McInnes also praised the endeavor of forward Elton Kabangu to fight for his place at Hearts, highlighting a positive story amidst the negativity surrounding Rangers. This provides a contrast, emphasizing the different situations and team dynamics within Scottish football. The focus remains, however, firmly on the challenges facing Russell Martin at Rangers.