Rangers manager Russell Martin is learning quickly that not every appointment comes with a warm welcome.
Just eight games into his tenure, the Scottish giants are already feeling turbulence, both on and off the pitch, following a tough Champions League play-off first-leg defeat to Club Brugge.
Martin, the former defender, warned from the start that building his team wouldn’t be smooth sailing.
Yet, fans’ frustration boiled over on Tuesday as Rangers’ home defeat exposed defensive frailties and left supporters fuming.
Early Setbacks Against Club Brugge Highlight Vulnerabilities
The nightmare began early when Nasser Djiga was forced out after just three minutes.
Moments later, Romeo Vermant’s deft chip over goalkeeper Jack Butland opened the floodgates.
By the 20-minute mark, Club Brugge were three goals up, and the atmosphere at Ibrox turned sour.
Although Danilo’s strike offered a glimmer of hope, the first-half performance was hardly enough to appease the passionate home crowd.
For a manager already facing skepticism, the result only amplified the pressure.
Martin Refuses to Be Distracted by Criticism
Despite the boos and online chatter, Martin insists that the external noise won’t derail his focus.
“The only way you can control it is by winning football matches,” he said. “Even if we win loads of trophies, there will still be sceptics.
That’s not my focus. Every day, I just want to be as good as I can for the players and bring as much energy as I possibly can.”
He acknowledges the uphill battle he faces with a squad that’s integrating 10 new players, but insists his goal is clear: building a team that plays with intensity and cohesion.
Training Ground Energy Offers Hope
Martin insists the mood around the training ground remains positive despite recent setbacks.
“We paid the price for a crazy 20-25 minutes where the reaction to a big disappointment wasn’t good enough.
We’ve spoken about that, and we have to transform the energy of the whole place,” he explained.
The manager highlighted the importance of transferring that collective energy from training onto the pitch, and he believes the players are eager to fight for each other.
Upcoming Fixtures Present Opportunities for Recovery
Rangers face a crucial match against St Mirren this Sunday, with hopes of regaining confidence ahead of the Champions League return leg in Belgium.
Following that, Martin’s side must navigate a tricky run including Celtic, Hearts, and Hibs.
“They’re all important,” Martin said. “None of them are season-defining on their own, but we have a chance to make things look very different in the next week.”
Acceptance of Short-Term Criticism in Modern Football
Martin admits that criticism comes with the territory, particularly in an era dominated by social media.
“Back in the day, a bad game might be talked about in the pub for a week. Now it’s incessant, constant,” he said.
Still, the manager’s focus remains on long-term growth. “Our job is to make sure people feel very differently about it in a month’s time, two months’ time, and moving forward,” he added.
Building for the Future
For Martin, popularity among fans is secondary to the work being done behind the scenes.
He’s focused on clarity, energy, and giving his players the best chance to succeed.
The upcoming weeks will reveal whether his methods can turn early criticism into a foundation for success at Ibrox.
