Rangers backed for correct Russell Martin sack decision
Rangers’ owners have been backed to make the correct decision regarding the future of under-pressure manager Russell Martin.
Since Martin took over at Ibrox at the beginning of June, it has been nothing short of a disaster, with the Gers failing to win any of their first four league games of the season.
To make matters worse, the Glasgow giants were humiliated in the Champions League play-off round, beaten 9-1 on aggregate by Club Brugge.
On Thursday (4 September), Football Insider exclusively revealed that Rangers are preparing to sack Martin this month.
However, Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes the ownership group, 49ers enterprises, are staying realistic.
Rangers’ owners aren’t listening to the fans about Russell Martin
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the owners at Rangers aren’t listening to the fans and are prepared to give Martin time to make a long-term difference.
Gers’ sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, has come out in support of the former Southampton boss, backing him to turn things around (RangersTV).
Wyness added that Rangers supporters have to understand that they are not entitled to success.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, it’s the rebuild Russell Martin’s now got. He’s done what he can do with his squad. Kevin Thelwell has done his best for him. It’s now down to him to get things going.
“He’s had a rather rocky start but certainly getting the draw in the Old Firm game seemed to just quieten everything down.
“The Rangers fans have got to get realistic. I mean, they’ve got to understand that just because they’re Rangers, they’re not entitled to things. The club was in a disastrous mess before these new owners came in.
“These new owners luckily don’t live in the Glasgow bubble and therefore they’re not subjected to the Old Firm rivalry on a day to day basis. They’ve got to stop making decisions and knee-jerk reactions based on results. They’ve got to start planning long term.
“It’s going to take one or two seasons at the very least to get things going. The new owners know what they’re doing. They’ve got to be given a chance and you don’t keep changing managers all the time.
“You’ve got to start building and going forward. There’s bigger things at stake at Murray Park and the academy and the different things.”
Rangers agree midfielder sale to Premier League side
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign Rangers sensation Blaine McClure.
An announcement regarding the 18-year-old defensive midfielder’s switch to the City Ground is expected imminently, after the deal has been finalised.
Sources say that McClure will move to Forest on an initial loan, with a view to a permanent transfer in the future.
The Northern Ireland Under-19 international joined Rangers from Northern Ireland club Linfield in the summer of 2023, but never made an appearance for the first team.
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