The response to Rangers choosing Russell Martin to lead them into their new future has been underwhelming, and I get it in a way.
It was between him and Ancelotti. When I first saw the latter linked, I thought, ‘Jesus! Carlo?’ But, no, it was his son, Davide, who’s never managed before.
Maybe there was a fantasist element among the Rangers fanbase who worked themselves up into a frenzy over that surname, therefore, and now they’re disappointed that they’ve been left with Martin. But he deserves a fair crack at showing what he can do with this opportunity.
There was a similar reaction when Celtic appointed Ange Postecoglou, remember. The jibes started as soon as he was announced. ‘They’ve brought in an Australian bloke who’s just been working in Japan,’ and all that.
But Postecoglou didn’t turn out to be too bad, did he? Martin has a similar philosophy to him, too. Rangers might actually try to play football for the first time in goodness knows how many years, and the fans might grow to like his purist style if they give it a chance after the direct approach they witnessed under Philippe Clement. Martin deserves that leeway at the very least.
Yes, we all know how badly it went with Southampton in the Premier League last season, but then he got them out of the Championship before that and did it in style.
Russell Martin is all smiles as his appointment as Rangers manager is confirmed
Martin is greeted by Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart at Ibrox
Chris Sutton has likened Martin’s arrival to that of Ange Postecoglou at Celtic
Rangers fans may see his win record in charge of MK Dons and Swansea and reckon they should be aiming for a higher calibre of manager. I say judge him on what he does next, not what he did before.
Recruitment will be key for him. Making sure Nicolas Raskin stays would help, too.
Last season, Rangers did well in their head-to-heads with Celtic. Yet they still ended up 17 points behind their great rivals in the Premiership. That wasn’t where they threw away any chance at the title. It was in their other games.
Now Martin needs to find that consistency which will hopefully get the fans on his side. I suspect they would have had an issue with whoever was appointed. That’s the nature of football fandom.
But let’s judge Martin on how he does, not before he’s even been shown where his office is at the training ground.
