'Martin wants to be judged in May but he's got to get there first'

BBC News

3 hours ago

Rangers' defensive frailties came home to roost on Tuesday night as they were beaten by a scoreline that will have been a surprise to absolutely no-one who has watched them this season.A lack of control, of care in possession, of assertiveness and responsibility have been evident from the opening game of the season against Panathinaikos. Those failings have already cost them vital league points against Motherwell and Dundee and now look to have scuppered their hopes of reaching the Champions League.Russell Martin wants to be judged in May but he's got to get there first and with fans already vocally expressing their displeasure over what they're watching, as many of his predecessors can testify, it is difficult to retain the backing of the board when the support has turned against you.Goodness knows what the new owners have made of the rancour that is already emanating from the stands, but presumably they will not want to rush to judgement as the new project takes shape.It's not so long ago, after all, that Ange Postecoglou experienced a similar start to life across the city. Dumped out of the Champions League qualifiers, losing his first league game, then the first Old Firm derby, but gradually ingratiating himself with an initially sceptical fanbase to become a hero, with a scintillating brand of football.It is difficult to identify the brand of football Martin wants to play right now, with the players perhaps still getting to grips with what he's asking them to do.With a difficult-looking trip to Paisley at the weekend before the second leg in Brugge and an Old Firm derby on the horizon, they need to do that quickly, or the heat is only going to intensify.