Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has publicly voiced his unwavering support for head coach Russell Martin, describing him as "one of the best" coaches he has had the pleasure of working with. The statement comes at a crucial juncture for Martin, whose tenure at the Glasgow club has been marked by a series of underwhelming results.
The pressure has been mounting on Martin after a string of disappointing performances, most recently a goalless draw in the highly anticipated Old Firm derby against Celtic. This result extended Rangers' winless streak to four games at the start of the Scottish Premiership season, a statistic that has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.
Furthermore, Rangers' failure to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage has added to the scrutiny. The team suffered a heavy 9-1 aggregate defeat against Club Brugge in the play-off round, including a humiliating 6-0 loss in the away leg. These results have amplified the pressure on Martin and his squad.
The statistics paint a concerning picture. Rangers have now started a Premiership campaign with four winless matches for only the fourth time in their illustrious history. Moreover, the club has failed to win five consecutive top-flight games for the first time since December 2005, a clear indication of the challenges Martin faces in turning the tide.
Despite the growing criticism and calls for a change in leadership, Thelwell remains steadfast in his belief that Martin is the right man to lead Rangers forward. He expressed his confidence that the head coach will use the upcoming international break to reassess strategies and implement changes that will yield positive results on the pitch.
"I've been very lucky over the course of my career to work with some very good managers and some very good head coaches and I have to say to you, he’s one of the best," Thelwell told Rangers TV, highlighting his respect for Martin's coaching abilities and work ethic. He reiterated his support for the manager and the entire coaching staff.
Thelwell emphasized Martin's commitment to player development and his holistic approach to coaching. "He’s extremely high energy. So he gives time to players, wants to work with players and wants to develop players, wants to be very clear about trying to make players better and develop them," Thelwell explained, underscoring Martin's dedication to improving individual players and fostering a positive team environment.
"He cares about the group. He cares about the results, cares about the performances and also cares about the staff here," Thelwell added, noting Martin's concern for the well-being of the entire organization, not just the players on the field.
The sporting director acknowledged the disconnect between the hard work being put in behind the scenes and the results on the pitch, but expressed optimism that this would soon change. "I appreciate I’m saying all of those things and we haven’t quite translated yet that what I’m seeing on a day-to-day basis, all of that hard work, all of that energy into what we need to see on the pitch. But I’m certain that that will happen," he stated confidently.
Thelwell's public endorsement of Martin serves as a strong vote of confidence in the face of mounting pressure. It remains to be seen whether Martin can turn things around and deliver the results that Rangers fans expect. The international break provides a valuable opportunity for the coaching staff to regroup, analyze their shortcomings, and implement a strategy that can propel the team to success in the coming weeks.
Here is Rangers Football Club's tweet showing support for their Sporting Director's words:
