‘Rangers fans have lost their heads’ – Keith Wyness drops blistering Russell Martin verdict
Rangers fans have been told that Russell Martin is still the right man for the job by a former CEO.
It has been a less-than-successful start to the 39-year-old’s time in charge, and he is already under big pressure at Ibrox.
Martin’s future is being called into question after the Gers failed to win any of their first four Scottish Premiership games of the season.
Rangers were also dumped out of the Champions League at the play-off phase, losing 9-1 on aggregate to Club Brugge in an embarrassing display.
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 that the supporters need to calm down and that Martin will turn things around.
Martin still has the backing of the Rangers board
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Kevin Thelwell and the board are right to be backing their manager, and ignoring the supporters who have “lost their heads”.
Despite his dismal start, Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (9 September) that Rangers currently have no plans to sack Martin.
Wyness added that knee-jerk reactions are pointless and that he hopes the former Scottish international retains the support of the board going forward.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The Rangers fans have been absolutely after his head, and they’ve lost theirs.
“It’s quite right that Kevin should be supporting him. I hope it’s a sign that the whole executive team and the ownership are backing him as well. Knee-jerk reactions are just pointless when you’re trying to rebuild the situation like Rangers need to rebuild.
“I keep reminding everybody that they were in a complete mess until the new ownership came in, and they would be really in deep trouble if they didn’t. They’ve got to give this group a chance to rebuild. It’s not a quick process.
“Russell is the right one. He’s a fighter. He’ll get them through this position. He’ll get things stabilised and they’ll move forward. Kevin Thelwell is doing the right thing in my view by supporting him, and I think the more voices that can help and support, the better.
“I think we’ll see Russell ride this out, and we’ll see how misplaced this show of emotion was from the Rangers fans, where they lost their heads completely. Looking for knee-jerk reactions is not the solution to anything in football.
“I hope he gets the support. I hope he gets the chance to go forward, and I hope the new owners show strength against what I call a completely irrational fan base. So we’ll have to wait, but I’m pleased to see him getting support and I hope it carries on.”
Rangers joined by Championship sides in race for winger
Meanwhile, Rangers were joined by Championship outfits Sheffield United and Coventry City in their deadline day efforts to sign Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old was linked with a move away from Palace in the latter stages of the window, but ended up staying at Selhurst Park.
Martin’s side remain keen on Rak-Sakyi and could look to reignite their interest in the January transfer window, but will not be alone in their pursuit.
Football Insider revealed on 5 September that Crystal Palace will entertain offers for Rak-Sakyi in the mid-season window despite turning down summer bids.
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