03 Aug 2025 21:17:02
A good source told me this evening that RM had all the players in today and went through them. Basically tore into them. Players were told if they do not run on the spark. I.e sprint with purpose the guilty ones will relinquish their day off and go to the training ground and do sprint sessions.
Tav and a few others were not apparently not happy and looks like they maybe dropped for the next game.
03 Aug 2025 22:06:11
Good for Russell Martin.
03 Aug 2025 22:20:40
That last paragraph - music to my ears. Wish Tav knew how unhappy the fans are watching him. Poor them having to run.
03 Aug 2025 22:53:09
About time.
03 Aug 2025 22:56:38
Not quite true - in fact, almost the opposite of the truth.
03 Aug 2025 23:19:27
Ehl can u elaborate mate please.
03 Aug 2025 23:20:37
Ehl, opposite in terms of what RM has done or opposite in terms of tavs reaction.
03 Aug 2025 23:34:20
EHL's calling it.
03 Aug 2025 23:35:09
If that was the opposite of the truth, then the truth must be
"RM gave the players a regular day or even a day off today and did not criticize them harshly. There were no punishments or warnings about sprinting or effort. Tav and others are not upset, and they are not in danger of being dropped — they might be fully involved in plans for the next game. ".
04 Aug 2025 01:23:53
On 60ish minutes be subbed Dio and Danilo for Cameron and Dessers. The latter two he praised by name. That really seems to imply to me he was having a go at Danilo and Dio (if it was someone else why leave them on the pitch!? ) . I'm amazed dowell lasted the 90. what is going on.
Honestly getting a bit worried already about the season. One thing to play poorly against a relatively equal team like Pana, another thing to struggle against a team with a tiny % of our budget, also bedding in a new boss and style like Motherwell. And make no mistake, it wasn't a fluke goal after parking the bus, they were the better team for most of the game.
04 Aug 2025 06:53:35
If we had a real captain and motivator - ie the likes of our great John Greig (a man who hated losing not accepting like some) - the players would know how much it means to play for this club and what amount of effort is needed in each game - sick saying this but yet again our club will only improve when we appoint a real winner to be our captain and have a leader with purpose in our ranks and that man is not James Tavernier - gazillion goals or not.
Also why oh why do we persist with Dowell - a complete waste of a jersey? - RM its time to wise up ASAP or your tenure will be slow, short and torturous.
04 Aug 2025 08:04:07
Who's this real winner you want to appoint blue floyd? Raskin? he was awful on saturday, don't think passing him a fabric arm band, or anyone else would have changed what happened.
04 Aug 2025 08:13:58
MVG, not quite - the opposite could also be that the players and staff had meetings to raise their concerns about Martin's contradictory messaging, advised that if he doesn't improve then he'll be coming in on his day off to do extra PR practice.
04 Aug 2025 08:28:15
I heard the same and that Tav was backed by Gassama, Rothwell, Raskin, Aarons and Danilo.
04 Aug 2025 08:37:23
Tav - Who mentioned Raskin? - we have no captain material in our squad imho- that is my main point?.
04 Aug 2025 08:41:27
If that were true EHL (and I'm not sure if you're joking or not) then we'd be in more trouble than most of us think. :D.
04 Aug 2025 08:42:44
EHL - is this player power coming to fore once more or are the players too big to be called out? - I get it sometimes its better in house but are we going to just cover old ground when players take huff and don't take responsibility - the performance and overall effort on Sat was disgusting and humiliating to say the least against a team with a fraction of our spending.
04 Aug 2025 08:56:41
EHL, let me grasp this, SO. the team played horrendously, the manager called the team out on performance and effort and now player power means that the manager will have to tone down his criticism in the future if the team continues to play badly?
That's not even credible in a parallel universe.
04 Aug 2025 09:13:13
Raskin was awful because he was played out of position. Our striker drops deep to the half way line or our own half. We mess about trying to play at the back. Our midfield is all over the place. We surrender territory and position far too easy. How is this not obvious to those who would rather blame the players? Don't get me wrong, Tav and Dowell are to blame for their goal but in general its our tactics that are the reason we are struggling.
04 Aug 2025 09:13:43
I mean they should be in Sunday and Monday regardless, CL game on Tuesday so I'd expect we need to debrief Saturday and prep for Tuesday.
04 Aug 2025 09:18:37
Tav123 maybe Raskin was poor because he is playing out of position.
04 Aug 2025 09:46:26
Got a feeling there will be no jovial training vids out this week.
04 Aug 2025 09:48:39
Who in the squad right now would be a better captain than tav? I don't exactly remember us ripping teams apart when raskin was skipper in tavs absence. There has been many problems at Rangers over the years. James Tavernier is NOT one of them.
04 Aug 2025 09:52:19
Ehl, Must be having a laugh the players and staff having a meeting about Martin.
04 Aug 2025 10:02:22
Is anyone buying the Raskin was so poor because he was played out of position. Personally I would expect a Central Midfield player to play at least half decent if he is played in any of the CM positions. However that excuse is good news for Dowell then as he was as well. Oh I get it this only works for players we like.
04 Aug 2025 10:05:41
There is a multitude of problems.
RM playing various players out of position.
Players not playing well in general or even trying
And a load of players just not being good enough
Still trusting Tav! Tavs never been a good defender, never mind a leader. If anything he should have been a winger a few years ago but he got a way with it we have paid the price for years.
Couple good European runs don't supersede winning the league.
04 Aug 2025 10:10:12
Think ehl is kidding but so many on here consistently drop a wee nibble and then don't elaborate and then people wonder why poster post what they do.
04 Aug 2025 10:24:38
Correct Angus he is a number eight in a midfield three.
04 Aug 2025 10:33:16
Angus both Raskin and Dio are being told to move out wide so that a wide full back can move inside?♂️?♂️?♂️.
04 Aug 2025 10:43:59
Sorry, I thought it was obvious that my response was tongue in cheek - in response to MVGs post.
There was no dramatic meeting where the law of the land was laid down and toys were thrown out the pram.
Martin and the Leadership group sat down and discussed how best to eradicate the issues from the weekend - which is normal.
04 Aug 2025 10:55:49
Yeah angus i agree i'm not buying it all. Raskin our player who we've been told on here we should take no less than 25 million but can't be moved from a 6 to an 8.
unsure how dowell is getting so much stick other than his name is dowell and fans don't like him, is he not getting the same grace for being played out of position? he was better than raskin on Saturday.
04 Aug 2025 10:56:42
Divided changing room again already
Soz tav needs away alwaz seems to divide n split n turns players against managers n philosophy
How many managers have went or lost half the players
We need a proper captain.
And a united dressing room
We ain't winning nowt with tav
To slow
To sloppy
We need a new captain to take us to progress simple n plain to see.
04 Aug 2025 11:13:31
Angus you honestly baffle me with some of your comments you really do bud. You say he's a CM so that would mean CH's don't have preferred sides right? Raskin is used to being played centrally and excelled there but just like Dio (RCM), is now being asked to play LCM and go out wide which he is clearly not comfortable with and has to continually cut inside so yes being played out of position can make a player play much poorer and Stevie Wonder could see that!
04 Aug 2025 11:14:30
Gassa I still expect both to play better than they did on Saturday. both are International players and yet struggled so badly. yes the system maty be part of the blame but I just expect more from a player played in a midfield position. It wasn't as if any were played so far out of position such as right wing.
{Ed001's Note - Gravenberch was terrible playing a different position in central midfield both at Bayern and under Klopp at Liverpool. Slot put him in a position that suited him and he was one of the standout players in the Prem last season. It makes a huge difference if you are not playing players in ways that make the most of their skillset.}
04 Aug 2025 11:20:11
Undoubtedly the two rm referred to where raskin and dio
they maybe think they're above rangers
they certainly weren't doing their job.
04 Aug 2025 11:22:51
I honestly feel some people who come on here must live their lives in constant drama. It certainly looks like it with the garbage they post. The predictability of calling for Tav's head, the speculation of imaginary meetings etc. I'd like to add that I am not impressed with how things have started this year and think the current coaching staff and players need to sort things out soon. Creating fictional nonsense and slagging everyone off on here isn't going to help that process on here though. Enjoy reading your posts EHL.
04 Aug 2025 11:41:24
100% bang on Ed.
Tav can't play inside
Raskin and Dio can't play wide
Aarons can't play inside or LB
Dowell can't play anywhere on the park.
Danilo can't play on the halfway line with his back to goal.
Souttar can't play LCB
Butland can't play sweeper keeper with the ball at his feet.
All of those are out of position?♂️.
{Ed001's Note - that is not what I said. It is possible, but they need to be played in a way that suits them. I don't know why people are surprised at Aarons at LB, Martin played Walker-Peters all the time at left-back for Southampton. Made no sense and caused them no end of problems, but he will not change.}
04 Aug 2025 11:42:44
Perhaps removing Dowell from that leadership team is a start, in fact Tav as well.
04 Aug 2025 09:51:00
EHL I'm sorry but if you are trying to clever with your wording here and are suggesting this as truth!
Then no wonder we are a mess!
Or I have to question your position, because it sounds like BS mate! I'm sorry but that is so fantastic I'm staggered, confused and concerned. From where I stand it looks like you're at it! I can only be honest!
Seriously what's the score?
04 Aug 2025 11:44:43
People need to stop living in the past gone are the days or greig and the likes. Name this captain that'll come in and be a winner? Doesn't a winner score goals and influence games? Or do you's want some guy to come in and shout his head off and look all angry and puffy because that won't do nothing. I mean if you could even name me a player like that in today's game.
04 Aug 2025 11:49:29
I don't disagree with players playing their best when in the position they like. Dio is playing RM which he did last year. Raskin had to be coached to be the number 6 last year as he was more a forward thinking player in the past in CM. Dowell is playing out of position on RW and doesn't get the same leeway or excuses made for him. Perhaps like Aarons Raskin is being asked to play the position until Aasgaard is fit and then all have to fight for the DM position. we just don't know; however in meantime I at least expect to see effort and some adaptibility from International players until we get that settled team.
04 Aug 2025 11:56:04
Great post BBJ. It's pretty obvious that is not raskins best position is that where he plays for Belgium? No is that where he play for us to get his call up for Belgium no ?♂️ I don't know why some fans are making daft excuses because a manager is playing players out of position.
04 Aug 2025 12:05:07
Good to see you back TT. ?. Was just asking for you other day. Hope you are well mate.
04 Aug 2025 12:19:26
Great point Storm. Raskin gets in the Belguim team playing as a 6 for us and what does RM do, play him out of position. Brilliant point well made.
04 Aug 2025 12:30:18
Didn't Martin say it his press conference that the players were off on Sunday and they would go back over the game on Monday, so they wouldn't be in until this morning.
I hope that as well as rightly calling out the players for lack of effort which is what it really boils down to, that Martin takes a look at himself . Souttar out of position, Aarons out of position, Raskin out of position, Dowell out of position and you could even say the same about Diomande, so how do you expect them to be a cohesive football team . They should be running more and doing what they are asked but can they do that when they may be uncomfortable in what they are being asked to do. Maybe that's what they have said when he challenged them. that's not a mutiny it is a fact and if he's not happy drop them and play people who are comfortable in these positions .
04 Aug 2025 12:58:15
Rostos - The most overrated captain in the clubs history and never a leader of men - surely years as captain versus trophy wins can be justification for many peoples concerns or is it "dont worry things will get better eventually"? - - time to wake up and smell the coffee. I applaud the goals scored and service he has given (well paid service I would like to add) but lack of titles and cups kinda wrangles with me - but maybe I am expecting too much that a once proud Giant of a Club should win things on a semi-regular basis?tell me I am wrong.
04 Aug 2025 13:20:43
Floyd we should but to blame Tavernier solely for that is the point being made.
wsl I agree re the out of positions but:
Souttar; who do you play LCB just now. I suspect Coady might have been earmarked and we might be buying someone else but atm Souttar seems to be the best option. he also hasn't been the worst playing it. what I mean about doing best you can.
Aarons: again who does he play. the manager obviously doesn't think Jefte is up to the job or he would play him and one oof Aarons or Tav at RB.
Raskin: Martin bought Rothwell to play number 6 for whatever reason. If Raskin wants to play he needs to play where he is picked. whether you agree or disagree that seems blindly obvious from the selections. I reckon Aasgard will be our LM when he is fit.
Dowell is out of position but is trying to play it as best as he can. he just isn't given the same leeway as others.
Diomande played on the right of a midfield 3 last year so down get this OOP for him but may be remembering wrongly.
I expect as a fan that any player who is picked puts in every effort on the pitch to help us win. I didn't see that from a lot on Saturday. most players are one footed but I didn't even see players getting it on to their strong foot as being the issue. In fact playing wide on the opposite side from your strong foot means you receive it from the back onto your strong foot; granted with back to goal. our MF are internationals so expect them to have the ability to do that.
BTW I don't disagree just adding some other thoughts to what you put forward to discuss.
04 Aug 2025 13:25:53
Great post Ed and a very good comparison too as Gravenberch last year was outstanding after being very average before that.
We would all agree that Raskin was our player of the season last year and easily on of our most improved players and captain when needed, yet RM comes in and makes him look like a bang average footballer.
04 Aug 2025 13:27:00
When did he say 2 players?
I watched an interview where he said only Jack, Souttar, Djiga and Dessers were good. (? )
04 Aug 2025 13:30:41
Of course being out of their natural position will have a detrimental effect on their input
but martin alluded to them not doing " what they had been working on and doing " what they want ", that's not good at all, that's what Alfie done, and a few others, a senior coach is a senior coach for a reason, however we havent lost a game yet,
04 Aug 2025 13:39:30
Players should be able to play some level of decent football if they are out of position. they are professionals and have bn kicking a ball since they have bn able to walk. at this moment we simply aren't playing at all . it's got to run a bit deeper (the problem) than just out of position players.
04 Aug 2025 13:51:57
GDog he did, he said in a interview Souttar Butland Djiga and Cameron and Dessers when he came on.
04 Aug 2025 14:52:22
Skysports interview.
04 Aug 2025 15:49:10
Angus1812 that's kind of my point, why do we now have 3 right sided centre backs and nobody comfortable of playing on the left . We have signed two of them this window and Coady is right sided as well so just as well we didn't get him . Souttar was awful when he was forced to play there when we had Goldson .
We have 3 left backs, if Martin doesn't rate any of them again that's a problem he has created .
Raskin is a central midfielder and a better one than Rothwell, he should be first pick, he could play both in a two .
Dowell is a central midfielder and if he doesn't merit a start there he should not be squeezing him in just to give him a game.
As for Diomande, any time we played a three he was left of Barron and Raskin. At the end of the day the manager is right to try things but he should also spot things that ain't working and that's 5 games now where we should have lost .
04 Aug 2025 16:41:58
Wsl I think we are in same ballpark here. I am not sure Martin has created all the issues but I can see why you say that. I would put forward he has inherited a lot of them
so Aarons has been loaned to fight out RB position with Tavs but has to play LB as the other 3 aren't good enough.
we have 3 inherited LBs who Martin doesn't fancy. ridden is being sold and will be replaced
Dowell has played wide right so as we don't have anyone else he does a job for team on RW. is he sparkling no but we have now signed Antman so I suspect he will be sold and be back up until he goes.
Think Dio drifted all over park but isn't allowed to now
Raskin is he better than Rothwell; not seen enough of Rothwell but manager will play him there. I think once we get Aasgaard then not sure if there is a position for Raskin.
04 Aug 2025 14:03:55
Leadership team lol there is the problem right there same leadership team that moaned about gio training sorry but only leader off the park should be manager
Players play
Managers manage
Is this so called leadership group really necessary or does it just make it easy for players to not do what manager wants or coach in this case
Wasn't a rm fan and didn't want him as manager but leadership group is all you ever hear when things go wrong.