Russell Martin branded a liability' by Rangers diehards as Hotliners fear boss
It's been a mixed bag of a start for Russell Martin at Rangers, who despite securing progress to the Champions League play-off has yet to get his first victory on the domestic front.
Pundits and ex-players of an Ibrox persuasion are calling for patience to allow Martin and his new-look team to bed-in but one Hotline caller has had enough already, branding the former Southampton boss as a 'liability'.
Russell Black, Banchory, who also fears Gers could be on the end of a mega upset in the Premier Sports Cup this weekend, called to say: "Russell Martin is a total liability, his philosophy and tactics never worked before when he had better players than he has now.
"All the managers in the Premiership are rubbing their hands in glee. If he continues in this fashion Rangers will be lucky to finish sixth, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Alloa didn't beat us at the weekend.
"We would have been far better off with Barry Ferguson and Neil McCann. Neil can read a game and can see very quickly what needs to be changed to counterattack what the opposition is doing. Martin doesn't have a clue. That's us in the doldrums for yet another season."
Andrew Adams, Kirkcaldy, also shares similar concerns about Martin's credentials to handle the cauldron that is the Rangers managerial job. He added: "Can Russell Martin really handle the pressure he undoubtedly under? His coaching staff also, they've never worked under this scrutiny or expectations before, and it will probably get worse before it gets better, can they work properly under these conditions?
"We keep hearing he needs time, but going on what we're seeing now, it's a miracle he needs, not time."
However, one Light Blues punter is convinced that his team are destined to reign as top dogs in Scotland again, with or without Martin at the helm. Replying to fellow Hotline caller Scott MacAdam, Alan Flett said: "If I know nothing about football, then what does that say about yourself and all the other deluded Celtic fans who continually spout rubbish on the Hotline?
"You lot should be embarrassed that your club has zero ambition. Russell Martin may or may not be the man who takes us back to the top, but we WILL get there! We're on course for the CL and have nothing to worry about domestically.
"Celtic will always be bang average and Hearts' good early season form won't last. The only team who can beat us are ourselves!"
Brendan Rodgers and Hoops' skipper Callum McGregor have also came under fire from one of their own for pointing out the 3,536 mile trek to Kazakhstan in their own Champions League play-off. Joe Hailey, Baillieston, wrote: "Come on Celtic, Rodgers and McGregor complaining about the round trip to Kazakhstan. Last I heard, Kairat Almaty need to make the same trip to Glasgow!
"Just get on with it and stop moaning. I'm more concerned that we've been a shambles in the transfers market!!"
One furious Parkhead caller has also vowed to take a stand if they fail to get by Kairat. John Maclean, Glasgow, stated: "If Celtic get eliminated by Kairat in next round through lack of transfer funds, l will not be renewing my season ticket. l spend my hard earn cash to support my team, not the board."
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, is also concerned about Celtic's options at the top end of the pitch going into the crunch clash. He called to say: "With one time Celtic's main striking option to replace Kyogo in David Sterlec not finding the goals for Bratislava to knock out Kairat Almaty over the two legs I fear if Adam idah who continues to struggle even at domestic level starts a nil nil first leg result could be on the cards.
"Failure to not start Maeda through the middle on Celtic's most important match so far should be a no-brainer for Rodgers."
And finally, Steven Naismith's return to Steve Clarke's Scotland backroom team following his stint as Hearts manager has left one punter unconvinced. Kevin Lord, Drylaw, wrote: "What a resounding appointment.. 'Nae (success as a coach) Smith'. Gets the Tartan Army well revved up eh??"
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Prediction: 9th MONTROSE Montrose kick off their campaign by hosting Rangers this afternoon with the likelihood being that the season doesn't get any easier the longer it goes on. Prediction: 10th
