27 Jul 2025 10:56:53
One thing I get from Russell Martin is if he sees something he doesn't like he will fix it. He seems a great guy, professional and likeable but I sense a ruthless streak that Rangers Managers need. He called a few out yesterday without names but has planted a seed in that squad.
27 Jul 2025 11:54:24
I really didn't like his interview yesterday - actually been really surprised at how well received it has been.
27 Jul 2025 11:24:51
He seems to have a Plan B for changing things around during Matches when things are not going well. Other Managers have struggled with this.
27 Jul 2025 11:31:40
I just watched the highlights of yesterday's game and what is our defending all about? Very poor, I'm not impressed with big Fernandez. I know it's a friendly, but surely you would want apply yourself and nail down a starting place.
27 Jul 2025 11:43:05
Can't disagree with any of that.
27 Jul 2025 11:57:55
What didn't you like about it EHL if you don't mind me asking mate?
Quite liked it myself but just interested from the other perspective.
27 Jul 2025 11:59:29
Ehl in what way did you not like his interview?
27 Jul 2025 12:03:19
EHL - I think it's well received because of the standards required to manage and win at Rangers.
Fans like managers that are stern and have the same views as them. Calling out Refs and players even if it was a friendly!
A wee but like PC. Fans loved the fact he got sent off in a friendly and had to watch the game from a car park - because he showed the same passion as the fans.
27 Jul 2025 12:19:31
Fernandes was struggling because of Hutton and jefte 3 at the back he was completely lost especially when they were leaving him alone. whem djiga came on him and Fernandes were solid together he played very well.
27 Jul 2025 12:19:42
I would be very worried if we ever started a match with that back 3.
27 Jul 2025 12:29:37
David Edgar. Think its a bizarre signing. don't think he will feature much at all. Just doesn't look comfortable at this level.
27 Jul 2025 12:35:48
I think he was very honest in what he said, players looking to get in the first 11 should be showing more fight that we seen from some in the first half, but he's telling the players that first.
27 Jul 2025 13:09:55
EHL I agree as all it did was allow fans to pick on the players they don't like. there are standards but they need to be driven from the inside. Have a word with the player after the game and tell him what is expected and what happens if they don't show those standards. don't see any benefit to this.
27 Jul 2025 13:22:44
He would know best about players attitudes and whether they were doing what they were asked to do but he took no responsibility for the strange team selection and tactics . I know it was only a friendly and that's the time to try things but a back three with two young full backs either side of an inexperienced centre half left us exposed because they didn't know how to play their positions. Young Hutton had a nightmare on his full debut but for me the manager hung him out to dry. Cortes did well covering as a wing back but that not his strength and the two up front, especially Gentles didn't seem to know what they were supposed to be doing. The switch to a back 4 at half time improved things right away and obviously the experienced subs made all the difference. I felt sorry for the 3 youngsters in the team, they would want to impress but couldn't in that team.
27 Jul 2025 12:40:25
I can see Jefte being sold or loaned in January. He's clearly not good enough.
Just being fit isn't the answer to our problems.
27 Jul 2025 12:46:07
I don't mind a manager calling out players, however I think it needs to be fully justified and communicated in a way that leaves no ambiguity.
What I seen in the first half yesterday was a completely disjointed side, playing in an unfamiliar system with many youngsters playing out of position - up against a well drilled and organised side.
What I heard felt like a manager playing to the crowd and leaving fans to read between the lines as to who the comments were aimed at.
And dare I say, side stepping taking any responsibility for setting the team up like he did.
27 Jul 2025 12:48:06
Someone seen something in Fernandez, Martin spoke highly of him, he's not going be first pick right now.
27 Jul 2025 12:53:24
Guess
He's growing on me, and PC got flagged rotten for no plan B.
27 Jul 2025 13:07:37
Back 3 or 4 still needs to sorted. RM knows it needs work.
27 Jul 2025 13:46:14
Fernandez will be fine in this league once he and we settle in the coming weeks and months. We need his type in the league.
27 Jul 2025 13:46:24
That's it all been sorted because the oracle Angus doesn't see any benefit in it then it was pointless.
27 Jul 2025 14:12:08
The manager was talking about he didn't like the application of certain players EHL, he accepts that it was a friendly and it was about giving some players game time and the team will look different in coming weeks.
He didn't call out any young player or not understanding the tactics, the issue he had was not running or working hard enough and even in a friendly that's a minimum requirement for a Rangers player, with one or two players in the team he was right to say that, but do get your point in that some prefer thise comments to be kept in house, but he comes across as a passionate manager that likes to be honest and open with the press, and on the flip side if results don't go our way he will have to back that up.
27 Jul 2025 14:24:46
Very difficult to see how players will adjust to first team when it's the full second string playing, lot easier to get an idea when one or two play with a first team that has their tactics down to second nature which in itself will take time, wouldn't right any off or hang my hat on any for a few months to come, getting over the line in games coming up will be huge for confidence in team and fans included.
27 Jul 2025 15:13:49
That's the issue Storm your right, we have to improve not only results but standards, mentality and attitudes also if we are looking to regain the league back, never comes easy winning titles against a team that shows good consistency over a season.
In my eyes he's right to call out a few players if he feels it warrants it, and at the end of the day he didn't mention names, then behind close doors he can speak to them individually, problem is nowadays it works with some players and not with others.
Far too many players last season not of the standard and it has to be addressed.
27 Jul 2025 15:51:17
Not often I say this but I disagree with you ehl. Rm is right to call out if he's unhappy with a players application and tbh i'm liking rm more and more.
27 Jul 2025 16:12:25
Ah Storm you never fail do you. I give an opinion which I notice you haven't done (again) . just pick on other posters opinions because they actually have one ?.
I personally never feel the manager should dig out players in public especially when he hasn't actually said who they were. could he not do it behind closed doors and get the same benefit. This is not about standards but how you go about driving those standards. 5 of the starting 11 were youngsters so I hope it doesn't affect their confidence going forward to be called out in public.
27 Jul 2025 16:41:32
Angus, SWS shared his opinion that Rothwell was Rangers' Pirlo, and you damn near lost your mind. ?
EHL criticised the manager, team selection, tactics, and system in this thread. Do you have an opinion on that?
27 Jul 2025 16:53:05
He has had words with the players in question privately i'm sure they won't mind at the fact he's not named names in a presser. As they will know who its aimed at. The ambiguity is only for us fans.
27 Jul 2025 17:45:55
Angus if he called them out in person publicly then there would be a right few in here saying he should be doing it privately!
He's well within his rights as the manager, whatever it takes to try and change players into winners.
27 Jul 2025 18:07:01
Just to reiterate, I have no objections to manager public calling out players.
However, given the players involved and the situation, I thought doing so without being explicit in terms of who the criticism was aimed at was pretty poor.
27 Jul 2025 18:29:28
The manager said that some players (not in the starting 11) were showing poor body language in the warm up. There was no calling out of players attitudes in the game. RM is impressing me with these comments. Huffy individuals going through the motions can leave.
27 Jul 2025 19:03:40
Hopefully Fernandez turns out to be a shrewd signing by Rangers.
Patience first game in a Rangers jersey.
27 Jul 2025 19:23:38
Correct McMinn. ?.
27 Jul 2025 20:52:42
Respect u EHL but can definitely tell u are not head coach of a team within the club
Being a head coach u need to make big decisions and get a reaction, I can tell Russell Martin has excellent emotional intelligence, instincts and man management
Someone who is not directly involved with key decisions within a team generally sees things differently, which u have, generally with more understanding of the players well being
A head coach makes hard decisions as he is directly judged based on the actions of others.