Russell Martin questioned as Rangers expert slams ‘lazy’ player who is ‘nowhere near’ the level
Rangers’ dire start to the season continued with a 1-0 defeat against Genk, with no sign of Russell Martin being able to turn around performances and results.
Martin faces the sack at Rangers following their run of just one win in seven matches, with the Gers sitting second from bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.
Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-Gyu haunted Rangers with the winner for Genk, with the South Korean also having a penalty saved by Jack Butland.
One Rangers star in particular has been slammed for his performance, which leaves Martin in a precarious position.
Mohammed Diomande and Russell Martin slammed after latest Rangers defeat
Midfielder Mohammed Diomande was woeful in Rangers’ defeat to Genk, and the 23-year-old’s sending off in the first half swung the game in the visitors’ favour.
Diomande has been a constant under Martin, but the former Southampton boss is now being questioned for why he continues to pick the Ivory Coast international.
Tom English, on BBC Sport [26 September] believes Martin needs to take some of the blame for Diomande’s red card.
“Diomande, who on his very best days looks like a player worthy of the jersey, has been nowhere near it this season,” English said.
“Too often he’s been lazy in his work and now he was ridiculous in his discipline. Diomande’s moment of madness was the last thing Martin needed, but it was Martin who picked him and it was Martin who picked others who struggled to make passes.
“It was Martin, again, whose management of this team produced very little threat while giving up big chances even when it was 11 versus 11.
“His midfielder let him down on Thursday, and on other days and nights it was others who let him down, didn’t show enough leadership, failed to make a difference.
“The cast of characters on that front is long and thunderously unimpressive.”
Nico Raskin fell out of favour under Martin earlier in the campaign, but none of the 11 new players who signed in the transfer window have yet to make an impact.
Damning stats show Diomande’s poor form ahead of Livingston test
Diomande contributed four goals and seven assists across the Scottish Premiership last season, and alongside Raskin, Rangers had a fine midfield duo.
Martin has not been able to get the best out of either of them this campaign, and Diomande ranks poorly in winning duels.
| Minutes Played | 324 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Dispossessed | 8 |
| Duels Won % | 43.6 |
| Aerial Duels Won % | 16.7 |
That comes down to a lack of fight, and Martin will be wary that Rangers travel to a physical Livingston team next on an artificial surface.
Martin cannot carry passengers in what could prove a frustrating encounter, though the manager does not look like he will be given the time to fix Rangers’ issues.