Martin criticises Rangers egos after opening draw

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Rangers boss Russell Martin reflects on Motherwell draw

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02/08/25

Russell Martin has managed just 270 minutes of football as Rangers head coach, and already he has left his players without a name.

After the Ibrox sides 1-1 draw at Motherwell in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture, Martin said his players were "lucky to get a point".

An "extremely disappointed and hurt" Ibrox head coach said the impressive Fir Park side were "braver" and "more aggressive" than his team.

He lambasted "two men on the pitch who want to do what they want to do" and said some of his players "have to drop their ego".

"The default is to revert to type," he added. "Its not really tactical, its a mentality problem."

It is the third straight season in which Rangers have failed to win their opening league match. But the first time Martin has publicly unloaded on his players.

On Wednesday in Athens, Martin acknowledged that performances could have been better across Rangers two-legged Champions League qualifying win over Panathinaikos, but he said he was "so proud" of his players.

Three days later, the mood has shifted remarkably.

Across two post-match interviews with BBC Scotland and Sky Sports, Martin chose not to hold back after his third game in charge of Rangers.

Here are the key lines from his furious reaction:

Before Motherwell found their late equaliser, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson had expressed deep concern about his old sides approach.

"At the moment theres nothing coming from Rangers; its quite worrying," he said on BBC Sportsound. "Ive not got a clue what their tactic is. I dont see it."

After Motherwell netted the leveller their play more than merited, Ferguson added: "Ive got a real worry after watching that second half. They players still have a lot to prove to that Rangers support."

Speaking on Sky Sports, irate former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said: "Its the same things that keep happening time after time after time.

"Its early in the season. We know there are going to be players arriving. We know there are going to be players going out. But the alarming thing for is hes calling them out so early on."

Despite agreeing with Martin, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton was also taken aback by the Rangers boss comments, saying the remarks "were extreme".

The head coach didnt name the two players, but Mohamed Diomande and Danilo were both substituted just after the hour and their respective replacements - Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers - were picked out for praise.

"For him to for him to do that first game of the season, he sees him every day in training, he must think theyre rank rotten," Sutton said on Sky Sports.

"Because why wouldnt there be a bit more balance there? When have you ever seen a manager do that first game of the season? That was extreme as extreme."

Former Motherwell forward James McFadden said "a draw was a good result for Rangers based on that performance".

The comment was perhaps made with tongue in cheek, but the stats back up it up.

Motherwells expected goals tally by the end of the match was 2.21 to Rangers 0.7.

Jens Berthel Askous brave and expansive side finished the game with five big chances, according to stats provider Opta. Rangers had one.

The 17 shots Martins side faced at Fir Park means his team have faced 51 efforts across just three games this season.

Over those three matches, Rangers have conceded only twice, but their opponents have amassed a total expected goals tally of 5.58.

That is simply unsustainable, and Martin will know that more than anyone.

Bill: Its very early, but I would be surprised if this Rangers team put in a challenge for the league title. Very poor.

Stevie: Anyone got paint on a wall drying? Better watch than Russell Martins boring tactics.

George: Brutal. [Martin] does not have a clue. No style, no direction, no quality.

Graeme: Different manager, different team, same guff from Rangers.

Sarah: Same old Rangers, cant close a game out.

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