Russell Martin insists he harbours no concerns about the possible impact of his scathing assessment of Rangers’ performance against Motherwell.
Despite leading through skipper James Tavernier’s early goal at Fir Park, the visitors were overrun in the second half and dropped two points on the Premiership’s opening day when Emmanuel Longelo struck for the Steelmen with three minutes remaining.
Pulling no punches afterwards, Martin questioned the mentality of many of his charges, accusing them slipping into ‘self-preservation mode’ and having ‘too much ego’.
Two days after the event, though, the 39-year-old was in no mood to take a backwards step.
Declaring himself to be entirely comfortable with uttering such harsh words so early in the season, Martin said he wasn’t concerned that his actions might have not the desired effect on certain individuals.
‘I think if it has a detrimental effect on certain individuals, then they’re probably not the ones we want to come on the journey with us,’ he stated.
Martin was furious with the attitude and application of his players in their weekend 1-1 draw
The Ibrox boss went through a full range of emotions as he explained his thoughts on his tirade
Motherwell snatched a precious opening-day points thanks to the equaliser from Longelo
‘So, I think if it has a detrimental effect on you and it hurts you to the point where you feel singled out, then there’s probably an issue with you being all in at this place and this club and with us.
‘I don’t have any worry about it being detrimental on the team. Whenever I’ve questioned any of our teams in the past about attitude, the response has been fantastic. And then the problems have been maybe technical and ability.
‘I’ve not said one thing addressing them and then told you (the media) another thing.
‘So, I guess this is where you learn a lot about people. I’m really comfortable if I say that because I know where it comes from. It’s not a concerted effort to out anyone or to try and beat someone. We’re not.
‘I think I’m just always going to be honest with the players and the supporters.’
Martin also doesn’t fear that one consequence of his words might be that the club becomes hampered with several unhappy players.
‘No, I don’t think so,’ he added. ‘There’s plenty of time before the end of the window.
‘I’m pretty sure all the players in here want to be part of something. And if not, at the end of it, if they don’t want to be here, I don’t want to force anyone to be at the football club. And it’s up to their agents to find the right people for them and for us.’
Read More
Russell Martin has no option but to clear the decks as stench of failure hangs heavy over Rangers
Since Saturday, the manager said he’d received a number of texts from people close to the club who fully approved of his decision to go public with his criticisms after just one league game.
‘I had a lot of messages from people who were associated with this club who were really supportive of it,’ he added.
‘I think they understand when they’ve been in this building, they understand what’s required and what quite hasn’t quite been there over the last few seasons for whatever reason.’
Martin yesterday completed the £3million signing of Oliver Antman, with the Finnish winger arriving from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
Antman is the ninth recruit of the summer. Speaking to RangersTV, the 23-year-old said: ‘When I first heard Rangers were interested I was excited. It’s a huge club, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and the world, and you don’t get this kind of opportunity many times in your life.’
Antman leads the players in training after completing his £3m move from Go Ahead Eagles
Rangers were last night trying to register Antman and Mikey Moore in time to face Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of the Champions League third round qualifier. Neither Hamza Igamane or Thelo Aasgaard are yet fit enough to be considered for tonight’s clash.
Meanwhile, Rangers will face Club Brugge or Salzburg in the play-off round if they can get past the Czechs.
Either side would make for a tough opponent. The Belgians finished runners-up in their domestic league, won the Belgian Cup and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. Martin’s men drew 2-2 with them in a pre-season friendly.
Last season, Salzburg were also second in their league and finished third bottom of the 36-team Champions League group.
