Bangor star reveals why he'd love to see Seasiders take up full-time model in future
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Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Russell Martin told his players to park their egos ... the problem is there aren't ENOUGH egos at Rangers
Having seen the wild oscillations in Rangers ' performance levels at close quarters last season, Billy Dodds wasn't exactly dumbfounded when the side flatlined at Fir Park immediately after advancing in the Champions League in Athens. Across 15 games at the end of last season, the team were capable of winning matches away to Fenerbahce and Celtic. It was their inability to take care of St Mirren and Hibs in the Premiership which cost Barry Ferguson and his interim team any chance of prolonging their stay. Dodds has since put down the clipboard and picked up the microphone again. His return to the radio studio proved typically illuminating, with the former Ibrox striker claiming that too many of the players he worked with lacked the requisite 'mindset'. His views on the fall-out from last weekend's meek display against Motherwell are no less intriguing. Russell Martin's talk of the need for certain individuals to park their egos piqued his interest. Truth be told, this was a character trait he didn't see nearly enough of during his spell at the club. 'Do you know what? There were some players who were harder to handle than others,' says Dodds. 'But there's one thing that was missing at Rangers and it was egos. 'Because I think when you have egos, domestically, it looks after itself. I think you go: 'I'm a good player, we win this game consistently'. 'That's what they actually needed. I think a lot of them need more ego because that will help them consistently, domestically. And I think that's the thing that was missing. 'Look at Celtic last weekend. They weren't at their best against St Mirren, but they won the game.' However Russell Martin chose to phrase it, he clearly didn't like what he saw from some familiar faces. Frank conversations were had. And when the team to play Viktoria Plzen was announced on Tuesday, James Tavernier, Danilo, Nico Raskin and Kieran Dowell were nowhere to be seen. If the manager's harsh words and decisive action felt like a risk, a 3-0 win against the Czechs fully vindicated him. Some established names appear to have been part of the problem. It's now for them to demonstrate that a message has been received and understood. 'It went well for Russell because they won,' offers Dodds. 'It was brave, I'll say that. When it goes for you, it looks like an expert decision. 'You don't have to tell me how good pros Nico and Tav are. I think they'll come back stronger because they'll be dogged and determined to show they want in this team and want to be part of it. 'They'll be hurting. But that's what good pros do. They hurt and then they show you.' The prospect of Raskin being dropped last season would have felt preposterous. The Belgian was his side's best player over the piece. Having previously struggled to live up to expectations, he delivered. The fact that four of his five goals came when the interim team of Ferguson, Dodds and Neil McCann were in the building suggested they understood the player more than his compatriot Philippe Clement ever did. 'He's a very good kid. He's got a good heart,' explains Dodds. 'I think we had him playing some of his best football last season because he was adding goals and he realised he's an all-rounder. 'He wanted to be a six. Nobody's arguing with that. That's what we told him. He's decent there. But he's better as an all-rounder. 'The Belgian manager played him as a six and that was what was in his head. But he's also got to realise that, if you score goals as an all-rounder, then there's more money in it and bigger moves for him. 'I'm not saying he should leave Rangers but, when it comes at the right time, he moves for bigger money. 'That's what was put to him. And then suddenly he starts scoring goals from that energetic position — and then he believes in it, funny enough.' The fact Cyriel Dessers was on his way to becoming the Premiership's top scorer didn't prevent Dodds from also offering the striker the benefit of his wisdom. Long established as the whipping boy of the side, it seems that all the goals in the world won't change how the Nigeria international is perceived in the eyes of his many critics. As a man who also had to strive to earn the appreciation of fans across four years at the club, Dodds was a natural champion for this cause. 'Do you know my first conversation with Cyriel?' he asks. 'I sat him down and I said: 'I love people who have got so much dogged determination about them'. 'I said: 'So many people come to this club and they sink or swim'. And you swam, big man. 'And he just looked at me and said he'd never shirk away from an issue. That told me everything about him. 'He misses chances, he's the first to admit that. But it's just little details. 'I said to him: 'Any time you take more than three touches — or two touches especially in the box — you miss your chances, big man'. 'You miss them because you overthink it. He admits it.' There is definitely a player in there. Dessers demonstrated it again on Tuesday with a brilliant take into feet and pass around the corner to set up Djeidi Gassama's opening goal. Injury has restricted his involvement this season, but he's now looking the part. AEK Athens are prepared to pay £5million for him. If Martin feels he can do better with the money, good luck to him. 'It would be a gamble now,' says Dodds. 'Rangers were maybe looking to sell before, last season into this season. But I think the big man has bounced back again. And I love players who show that.' With nine new players arriving this summer and the style of playing evolving, Martin had correctly predicted the start of the campaign would not be plain sailing. While there was more good than bad on show against a toothless Panathinaikos side, the display at Fir Park was a reminder that this is very much a work in progress. Although the performance against Plzen offered a welcome insight into what all this might eventually look like, Dodds has learned from recent experience that there will be more bumps in the road. 'I think Tuesday night looks after itself,' he says. 'When it's Europe, it's no bother. 'I don't think Plzen were great, but you can only beat what's put in front of you. 'Now on Saturday they've got to handle that it's Dundee, sitting deep. They'll be trying to make it hard for them to get a point on the board themselves. And that's the kind of games that Rangers came unstuck in last season.' Billy Dodds was promoting Premier Sports' live and exclusive coverage of Rangers v Dundee on Saturday from 12pm on Premier Sports 1. Fans can watch an entire season of football for only £99 using promo code PSCUP25.
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cliftonville sign former Derby midfielder Fapetu
Cliftonville have added midfielder Adebayo Fapetu to their squad ahead of their Irish Premiership opener against Bangor on 20-year-old started his career at Arsenal before joining Derby County in 2021 where he was a regular in their underage has featured for the Reds in pre-season and subject to international clearance will be part of Jim Magilton's side for their trip to Clandeboye Park this Englishman becomes Cliftonville's fifth summer addition after PJ Morrison, Conor Falls, Conor Barr and Rhyss Campbell.
BBC News
44 minutes ago
- BBC News
McInnes on Bloom meeting, Kabore versatility & Gordon recovery
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before the Premiership match with Dundee United this are the key points from his press conference:Tony Bloom's comments about Hearts being title contenders are a sign of "so much validation and confidence," says McInnes, given the new Hearts investor is a "very clever man and a very successful man".McInnes adds they are fully focused on success at the club and are "not wanting to mess about".Bloom and McInnes had an "enjoyable" and "very engaging" first meeting at Tynecastle, with the Brighton owner "encouraged by the start we've had and encouraged by what the future could look like".McInnes admits his side have an "advantage" against United because Jim Goodwin's side are playing in Europe on Thursday he says United will be "ready" to face Hearts and is keen to stress his side can't take anything for granted: "You've still got to turn up and do your job well."On versatile newly-signed striker Pierre Landry Kabore: "He can play the second striker, play with a partner, he can play on his own up there."Goalkeeper Craig Gordon's recovery from a shoulder injury is "going the right way, but still a slow burner". McInnes adds: "He's getting slightly more strength in the arm and the shoulder, which has been an issue for him."
