Russell Martin, the head coach of Rangers Football Club, spoke this week about the pressure he receives from fans. He went on to talk about the future of the club following a dismal start to the season. Martin has been in communication with their Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell. He makes the case for a unified, fierce response from the players and from the fans. His years as a long-serving manager at Norwich City have in some ways underlined his ideas about leadership and running a club.
His success would come as a surprise to initial doubters of his appointment last summer. Those in Norwich, though, quickly grew to respect Martin, understanding his talent and potential. Addressing the frustrations of the 13th fan directly, he admitted the anger many fans felt. This award, in particular, was given against the backdrop of recent criticism he received from younger supporters. Martin said he was hurt by the treatment directed at him. He is adamant that he feels this way especially due to the fervent Rangers fanbase.
After Max Aarons’ unbelievable stoppage-time winner against Livingston, Martin acted fast. We didn’t catch a glimpse of him walking down the tunnel after the match, which he should have done, allowing his players to go all 12th-man in peace. Such a move serves to highlight Franklin’s prioritization of team culture and morale.
Emphasizing Trust and Collaboration
Martin emphasized the need for trust among the club’s new leadership hierarchy. He pointed to his strong bonds with Thelwell, Dan Purdy, Patrick Stewart and the ownership as reason for optimism. Their collaborative support will be key, especially as they move into this transitional period.
“Not everyone will like certain things and how they are. But the club has to have some way to move forward and that’s about getting really good people in who have done a really good job elsewhere.” – Russell Martin
The recent appointment of Kevin Thelwell’s son, Robbie, as the new head of recruitment marks a significant step for the club. At only 26 years of age, this is Robbie’s first full-time role. His current position as loans manager at Norwich City. His move to Rangers shows a genuine pledge to bolster the club’s approach to recruitment.
Martin’s confidence in these appointments is a testimony to his faith that good things have already begun to happen.
“So I am really happy with the appointments we’re making like I’m really happy with the changes we’ve made inside the club.” – Russell Martin
Looking Forward to European Nights
Rangers preparing for their third group stage match in UEFA’s Europa League, against Sturm Graz. Martin will be hoping that history can repeat itself with another unforgettable European night. He described these matches as critical to the player development pipeline and noted their importance to club prestige.
All the challenges of the current season have not dimmed their hopes of performing on the continental stage. Martin is still intent on developing a tough, resilient team able to roll with the punches and find winning solutions in any environment, whether it’s NSW or beyond.
“I don’t feel particularly sad about it for me. I just feel like for the cycle to go on and to understand… Like, I’m here. We’ve made mistakes. There’s been some tough moments, but we’re giving everything we’ve got to improve the club.” – Russell Martin
While protests against Martin and Stewart have surfaced due to Rangers’ poor performance, he continues to advocate for a united front as they work through these difficulties. With trust in his staff and knowledge friends across the leadership aisle, he hopes to continue to return the Rangers to the right route.
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