Martin Feels Heat Again, But Are Rangers Players Letting Him Down?
Russell Martin’s tenure at Rangers continues to draw intense scrutiny, with the manager facing mounting pressure amid a string of disappointing performances. Yet, as the spotlight intensifies on Martin, a pressing question emerges: Are Rangers players letting him down? This Europa League opener against Genk at Ibrox laid bare the frustrations on all fronts, highlighting not just tactical shortcomings but also individual lapses that have plagued the team. While Martin shoulders much of the blame for the epic fail of his project, the players’ inconsistencies can’t be overlooked. In a match that exposed deeper issues within the squad, the focus sharpens on whether the talent at Martin’s disposal is truly stepping up.
Rangers Players Under the Microscope
Watching Russell Martin’s reaction to Mohamed Diomande’s red card just four minutes before halftime was a poignant moment. As the Ivorian midfielder lunged recklessly at Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi, it wasn’t just a moment of indiscipline—it felt like another nail in the coffin for a team already teetering on the edge. Rangers had been second-best throughout, displaying a fitful defense, wasteful possession, and a chaotic lack of cohesion. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it echoed the pattern seen in recent games, where Rangers players have repeatedly failed to execute basics under pressure.
Diomande’s sending-off virtually handed the game to Genk, Belgium’s 14th-placed side, who capitalized on the numerical advantage to secure a 2-0 victory. The midfielder’s lack of self-control was inexcusable, especially from a player who, on his best days, shows flashes of the quality expected at Ibrox. This season, however, Diomande has been a shadow of that potential—lazy in his pressing and now disastrously undisciplined. His confused expression post-red card only amplified the frustration; it was a betrayal not just of the team but of the supporters who demand more.
This incident underscores a broader theme: Are Rangers players letting Martin down? The squad, assembled at considerable expense, should be capable of better. With a net summer spend of around £21 million—including transfer fees and loans—the investment demands results. Yet, performances have been pedestrian, predictable, and laborious. Everything about Rangers’ play looked slow and unthreatening, save for sporadic bursts from the likes of Djeidi Gassama on the left flank. Genk, despite their own poor form (just one win in five), arrived with ambition and intensity. They attacked with belief, while Rangers flailed, unable to match their visitors’ European pedigree.
The Growing Fan Apathy and Leadership Void
The atmosphere at Ibrox told its own story. Around 12,000 tickets went unsold—a stark indicator of the deepening apathy engulfing the club. Those who stayed until the end unleashed their frustrations, with boos ringing out as routinely as the appearance of mascot Broxi Bear. Chants calling for Martin’s head have become a matchday staple, cranked up yet again in this grim affair. The cameras caught chairman Andrew Cavenagh and chief executive Patrick Stewart in the directors’ box, their faces etched with concern.
Cavenagh has publicly backed Martin, but credibility is wearing thin. Fans would pay dearly for a chance to voice their grievances directly to the board, venting about a club where nothing seems to function: the quality of play, results, recruitment, and fan relations. Rangers are a hard watch right now—tiresome and devoid of spark. Genk squandered chances before the break, missing a sitter, hitting the post, and seeing Jack Butland save a penalty to keep it 0-0. But Diomande’s folly sealed the deal, giving Martin an alibi he eagerly grasped in his post-match press conference.
Yet, positivity was scarce even with 11 players. There’s no evidence the game would have swung differently without the red card. Genk, chasing their first clean sheet in 11 games, played with anxiety but channeled it into tight, ambitious football. Their coach, Thorsten Fink, instilled a belief that starkly contrasted Rangers’ meek display. Under pressure themselves, the Belgians attacked; Rangers retreated.
Are Rangers Players Delivering Value?
The lack of incisiveness is baffling for a squad costing a king’s ransom. Take Youssef Chermiti, the 21-year-old striker loaned from Everton for £8 million. The young forward showed hunger and work rate but was starved of service—just one sniff at goal in a lonely, isolated role up top. The life of a Rangers center-forward has become joyless, with players left to sink or sink. It’s a symptom of a midfield that fails to connect, a defense that invites pressure, and an overall lack of leadership.
Diomande wasn’t alone in letting Martin down; he’s just the latest in a long line. Others have faltered in discipline, creativity, and grit—failing to lead or make a difference on big nights. Martin gets filleted in the media, and rightfully so for his selections and tactics that produced little threat while conceding big chances even at full strength. But the players bear responsibility too. A lot of this mess traces back to the manager, but not all. There’s always an excuse—a red card, anxious players, refereeing errors—fostering a fatalistic mindset.
Martin’s project at Rangers was meant to bring fresh energy, but it’s mired in underperformance. The fans’ disillusionment is palpable, and the board’s patience must be tested. Recruitment has been questionable: Are the signings adapting? Is the squad mentality right for the demands of Scottish and European football? Without accountability from the Rangers players, Martin’s vision risks crumbling entirely.
Looking Ahead: A Gauntlet Awaits
As Rangers lick their wounds, the focus remains: Are Rangers players letting him down, or is it a collective failure? Sunday’s trip to Livingston looms large—a physical, motivated side on a plastic pitch under a canny manager. It’s a gauntlet for this meek outfit, where lapses could prove fatal. Martin needs his players to rally, to show the leadership and quality invested in them. Until then, the heat on the manager will only intensify, but the squad’s role in this turmoil can’t be ignored.
In the end, while Martin navigates the flak, the true test lies with the Rangers players. They hold the key to turning apathy into passion, poor form into promise. For now, the project stumbles, but redemption is possible—if the team steps up.
