Martin Faces Challenges in the Russell Revolution

Three matches into the Russell Martin Revolution there are signs that the new Messiah is already losing the battle with two key audiences- the dressing room and the Daily Record.

Two questionable performances against Panathinaikos were just about accepted under the ‘job done’ category but being out-everythinged by Motherwell has set off alarm bells that have reached the Sports Desk of the fast declining Glasgow publisher.

All summer long the Record has been celebrating all things Ibrox, despite not having anything to do with the San Francisco 49ers Andrew Cavenagh has been treated with the customary reverence while Everton reject Kev Thelwell is a recruitment wizard.

Splashing out £3.5 on a dodgy centre-half from Peterborough has escaped scrutiny but ultimately the Record has to recognise what is going on on the park, so far the fears of the support have been justified.

WOKE football might be fine and dandy at MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton but it will never be on the menu for the gammons that live out their supremist dreams in the Ibrox stands.

Martin is a step too far and if results and performances continue in their current direction they’ll be screaming for change rather than nodding ‘I told you’ to fellow bears.

Squealing in media conferences about the failings of your players will only harden their resolve to see you off, the players that Martin was calling out on Saturday at Motherwell only have to look at Ridvan Yilmaz, Rabbi Matondo and en Davies to know that they will outlast Russell Martin.

Normally the man in brogues can count on the Daily Record for unflinching support, the current guy doesn’t wear brogues and isn’t getting much in the way of backing from Dave Murray’s favourite publisher.

Looking across Murray Park this morning Martin will realise that storms are brewing, unless he starts producing results he might not last the 15 games that Southampton foolishly gave him last season.

Keith Jackson wrote:

The early indicators suggest Martin’s promised land might be quite some distance away from what it was made to look like in the brochure.

Of course, it’s way too soon to reach any firm or damning conclusions but, it must be said, the early evidence is inconclusive at best.

When Rangers somehow made it through two legs of a Champions League pummelling from Panathinaikos an assortment of fan boys and happy clappers rushed to the defence of the manager while ignoring what they had just witnessed with their own eyes.

The truth is Martin’s side was an incomprehensible mess in both of these games against the Greeks and exactly how these players managed to get through the double header clutching onto a 3-1 aggregate victory almost defied any sort of sound logic.

Yes, granted the end result is ultimately all that really matters and Martin certainly earned himself a bit of badly needed breathing space by leading his team into the next round, where they will face Czech opposition in Viktoria Plzen.

But they will go into Tuesday’s first leg on the back of a woefully timid opening day performance at Motherwell which has further undermined whatever confidence this club’s supporters may have set aside for Martin and his big vision.

Worse still, by very deliberately taking a machine gun to his own players in the immediate aftermath of Saturday evening’s 1-1 draw at Fir Park, Martin has effectively left a blood bath inside his own dressing room.

Jackson’s buddy Scott McDermott was slightly more diplomatic but three matches into the season he knows how to recognise a car crash when it is heading his way

New season, same old Rangers. Different manager, a few different players – but the same outcome on the Scottish Premiership’s opening day.

And let’s be honest, their supporters have come to expect it now. Drop league points on day one, allow Celtic to steal a march at the top of the table – and struggle to mount a genuine title challenge after that.

It’s like Groundhog Day for these long-suffering fans.

But at least on Saturday, after their woeful 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park, there was one key difference to previous years. Afterwards, there were no excuses made by the manager. No protection of his players.

In the last two seasons when Rangers have got off to a stuttering start under Michael Beale and Philippe Clement – both gaffers claimed there were mitigating circumstances.

There was no panic, the team was backed with an ill-advised promise of better things to come.

That wasn’t the case in Lanarkshire at the weekend. Instead, new boss Russell Martin decided to eviscerate his squad.

He labelled them as egotistical, work-shy prima donnas, who are experts at self-preservation.

All well and good but everyone in football knows that players outlast managers- just ask Micky Beale and Phil Clement for their thoughts on Saturday’s team-sheet. You have to go all the way back to the Warburton Revolution for a timeline on the arrival of Captain Disappointed.

Calling out the egos and highlighting the lack of application from players isn’t the smartest deflection exercise, especially three days before a Champions League qualifier in front of an edgy, demanding, hard to please home support.

For good measure Martin also nailed the fantasy world that the Scottish press live in by revealing that Cyriel Dessers is the only player to have attracted a transfer bid!

This afternoon Martin will be back in front of the media previewing the match against Viktoria Plzen who had a free weekend to prepare for tomorrow’s match.

Barry Ferguson was given leeway last season for taking the job on, inheriting serial losers only interested in ensuring that their contracts are honoured to the full.

The new ‘permanent’ boss is expected to deliver instant success on the pitch and a money spinning Player Trading Model picking up the pieces from the last three managers, none of whom have survived a full season in charge.

Fortunately there is a Daily Record columnist with recent experience of being an interim manager that can instantly call on the sympathy and support of his media pals and the fans that made it clear that they wanted MARTIN OUT even before he was in!

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