'Key milestone' as Ibrox to host more SWPL games than ever
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Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Russell Martin and John Beaton BOTH apologised after shock sending off as Rangers boss says why he DOESN'T expect ban
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN and John Beaton apologised to each other after the Rangers boss was sent off against Middlesbrough. The Gers gaffer was incensed when the ref failed to award his side a penalty following a Luke Ayling handball. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 5 Russell Martin sits in the stand during the second half Credit: Willie Vass 5 Russell Martin was far from happy Credit: Getty 5 Russell Martin approaches John Beaton and officials as they go up the tunnel Credit: Willie Vass Tempers flared in the tunnel at half-time - with Martin banished to the stands for the second half. But last night he rubbished talk of an additional SFA ban - revealing the pair shook hands immediately after the 2-2 draw. Martin confessed: 'I think we should have had a penalty. 'I'm a passionate guy and I probably overstepped the mark. 'I enjoyed watching the game in the stands in the second half. It was a good view. 'But seriously, I went and apologised to the official and I need to get used to how it works up here compared to down the road as well. 'I've apologised and hopefully we can all move on.' Asked about concerns over a ban, Martin added: 'No, I don't think so, no. I'd be surprised. 'We shook hands and had a chat after and they accepted my apology and he apologised about the decision as well. 'Hopefully it's all just done and dusted.' Rangers transfer special assesses whether Conor Coady deal is OFF, if Hamza Igamane will leave and when the Gers can expect more incomings Strikes from Neto Borges and Fry saw Boro storm into a two-goal lead. Martin was forced to send for reinforcements with his big guns from the bench helping Gers draw level. Danilo and Findlay Curtis grabbed the goals with the Ibrox side now set for Wednesday's crunch Champions League second leg qualifier against Panathinaikos. Martin said: 'I think it also showed that we need to strengthen a little bit in certain places as well. 'So the good ones that came on made a difference, then there's some that really pushed in the start of the football team that did really well. 'We just need a bit more depth and a bit more help in a few areas, which will come. 'The first half was a bit frustrating because we were playing against a good team, they're athletic, they pressed really aggressively. 'But a lot of the moments that were uncomfortable for us were down to a lack of intensity on our part. 'I said to the guys, I didn't like the warm up. 'There's a bit of disappointment in a few people, maybe not in the team. 5 Russell Martin waves to the crowd before the match Credit: Willie Vass 'But if you're disappointed, and especially playing for this football club, you have to show it by being more aggressive, more intense, not being downbeat and just being out there and letting the game pass you by a little bit. 'They know that now. That can't happen.' Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard both sat out Gers' final pre-season friendly of the summer. But Martin insists they could both feature in Athens. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! He said: 'We hope to have both, so we're not in a big problem, but it was just so early on to have them back for one game to then risk missing three or four after, or maybe even more.' Boro boss Rob Edwards added: 'It was a really good positive performance. I saw a team that was cohesive and that carried a threat. 'They brought on one or two decent players and there's an expectance here, even if it's a friendly.' 5 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Irked Russell Martin's six word message to Rangers team made something crystal clear before game even started
The new Ibrox boss was left unimpressed with a number of players after handing out chances to stake claim Russell Martin finished the game watching from the stands. And he warned his sloppy fringe men they'd better buck up their ideas if they want to avoid spending the rest of the season there too. The new Ibrox boss was unimpressed with a number of players he handed a big chance to stake their claim in the 2-2 friendly draw with Middlesbrough - revealing he spotted signs they weren't up for the fight in the WARM-UP. After throwing on the cavalry with half an hour remaining to salvage a draw, Martin admitted the lack of depth to his squad was obvious. Goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis rescued a draw after Neto Borges and Dael Fry had Boro two ahead. Martin was then sent off at the interval for protesting over the non-award of a penalty too hard. But having made 11 changes to the side that started Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League qualifying first leg victory over Panathinaikos, it was the application of some of his second string which had him seeing red at full time. Oscar Cortes and Josh Gentles were singled out for praise. But Martin said: 'A lot of the moments that were uncomfortable for us were down to a lack of intensity on our part. 'And I said to the guys - I didn't like the warm up. "There's a bit of disappointment in a few people, maybe not in the team and that stuff. "But if you're disappointed, and especially playing for this football club, you have to show it in being more aggressive, more intense, not being downbeat and sort of just being out there and letting the game pass you by a little bit. 'So they know that now. That can't happen. It can't be a problem for us. 'Whenever you step on the pitch for this club and this team, you have to be all in. 'So that was a good lesson for a couple. And the rest I'm really pleased with, and we're better than we were before the game for sure. 'I think we're learning about people all the time. And every situation is different. Every person as a player, but as a person, is different. 'There was just a little bit too much in the first half that I didn't really like and there were some good moments in the first half. 'But I think the thing to take is, when you're not playing or not in the starting 11 right now then we're at the start of a very, very long season and we are going to need everyone. I've told them that. 'But you need to be a bit more like Oscar, run really hard. 'Maybe his end product wasn't quite there today because he hasn't played too much, but effort, endeavour, willingness to run, to help your mate, fantastic. Josh Gentles the same. 'That's where you need to be when you if you want to be part of this in the long term.' Martin fired the warning to his players two days before the fly out to Greece for Wednesday's crucial qualifier. A 2-0 first leg win at Ibrox has given Rangers a cushion ahead of what's expected to be an intense evening in Athens Olympic Stadium. And he reckons the sluggish start was a timely reminder of the levels and intensity that will be required if they are to see off Panathinaikos and keep their £40m Champions League dream alive. He said: 'If we were in a difficult situation, it's down to us, a lack of intensity, not being in the right position quickly enough. So I think that's the lesson. 'If you're not going to play with enough intensity or enough speed or enough aggression, then you will be put into difficult situations way more than you are if you want to bring all of those to the party. 'So, especially early on in the game when a team has energy and they're fresh and they have a really good organized press and they have a good coach. 'We knew it'd be difficult for the guys. I don't think we expected anything less. But be difficult on our terms. 'If we're running, being aggressive, playing with intensity, and it's still difficult, then we can look at it and try and fix it. But don't be difficult on someone else's terms.' Curtis followed up his wonderstrike that opened the scoring against the Greeks on Tuesday night with another Ibrox strike to seal the draw with 11 minutes remaining. This time it was all about awareness as he pounced to bury the loose ball after Nico Raskin's header was saved. And Martin said: 'He showed good instinct today. He got better on Tuesday as the game went on and he showed some good stuff today, some good timing, some good bits. 'So, just a really good learner. And I thought Nico was brilliant next to him today as well. 'The best Nico's played since we've been here, so I'm really pleased with Nico's contribution because I think having Max Aarons and Nico on your side of the pitch will definitely help Findlay. 'And he just needs to keep listening, keep learning. Good instinct today, good character, good attitude. As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be fine.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Martin reveals transfer interest in a 'fair few' Rangers players
This comes after the team's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough in a friendly match. Neto Borges and Dael Fry put the visitors ahead at half-time, but second-half goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis ensured a draw for Martin's side. Following the confirmation of Robin Propper's move to Dutch club FC Twente, Martin was questioned about potential further departures. He said: "I think we have interest in a fair few of the players, but as and when they go, I don't know. Read more: "I just wait for Kevin [Thelwell] to tell me what's going on. "And yeah, whilst they're here, they'll be treated with care and respect and professionalism. "And it might not always be on the terms they want or like, but I think if we're honest with each other and we respect each other and they respect the group, there's not going to be a problem." [[Rangers]] are set to play Panathinaikos this Wednesday in the return leg of their second-round Champions League qualifier. They currently have a 2-0 aggregate lead.
