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Scottish Sun
22 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Don't worry mum I'm okay' – Gers boss Russell Martin reassures family after coming under fire from fans on social media
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN'S had to calm his anxious MUM and reassure her he's on top of the Rangers job. Martin's only occupied the Gers hot-seat since June 5. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 5 Rangers boss Russell Martin Credit: PA 5 Russell Martin says he's excited more than ever by the challenge Credit: Willie Vass 5 The Rangers boss has come under fire for some poor performances Credit: PA But he's already guided them to the colossal Champions League play-off against Club Brugge, with the first leg at Ibrox on Tuesday. However, the ex-Light Blues and Scotland defender has come under fire from Rangers fans for abysmal domestic performances. Four points have already been dropped in the Premiership as well as a far from convincing Premier Sports Cup win over part-time League One outfit Alloa Athletic. Elements of social media flak, especially, has been brutal on Martin - with his mother Kerry fearing for him. But the former MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton boss has been quick to allay her worries and those of other family members and friends. Martin - just seven games in charge - said: 'I have a lot of people message me who read message boards and stuff who are concerned about me. 'And they just don't have to be. 'So I keep telling my mum 'Don't worry about it, it's all good. I'm enjoying it.' 'I appreciate the honour of managing this club every day and the gratitude I feel for that. 'So let's have that in the building. Rangers Tribute Pub Vandalised in Violent Attack: Community Stands Strong 'I said to the staff as well, so many of them support the club - but I think they've lost a bit of joy of being here and working here. 'Let's understand how big this is and how brilliant it could be and focus on what we can control. 'And that is playing with so much energy tomorrow and really feeding off it.' Martin already knew the size of Rangers - and his Euro nights at Ibrox have been everything and more for him in terms of excitement and atmosphere. Each time he led the side to big qualifying wins over Panathinaikos and Viktoria Pilzen which set them up for progression away from home. Now it's the biggest test yet for his team which is still in flux, with new signings - left-back loan capture Jayden Meghoma from Brentford is expected to be in the squad - still finding their feet. But Martin doesn't want apprehension or trepidation within the dressing room confines - only exhilaration and a desire to grasp a wonderful opportunity. He said: 'We've been here just under two months now, seven weeks, wherever it's been, and I'm more excited than ever really. 'I think you have to roll with the punches here for sure, and I think early on we understand we were going to have a bit of pain to go through. 'We have to win while we're going through some pain. "So we're into this round which is a huge opportunity to qualify for one of the best competitions in world football. 'I really believe we can do it. 'When you come to this club, you have a chance to have experiences and moments you just don't get at any other football club. 'And tomorrow night can be another night like that. We're realistic. We have to improve in so many areas. 'But let's look at the opportunities that are ahead of us and what we can go and achieve and what it could look like in a month's time, in a week's time.' 5 Meghoma has joined the Gers on loan Credit: Alamy Martin said of new signing Meghoma: 'I think he's going to be registered in time for tomorrow's match. He trained yesterday.' Striker Cyriel Dessers is fighting a desperate battle to shake off a leg injury and Martin said: 'Big Cyriel is probably the only concern. 'If it's not tomorrow, we expect him to be back for the weekend and next week.' 5 Nico Raskin watching from the sidelines Credit: SNS Martin, meanwhile, insisted much talked about midfielder Nico Raskin is back in his plans after not featuring in the weekend squad. He also shot down rumours of the Belgian making a transfer request. The Gers boss said: 'The only reason he wasn't in the squad on Saturday was for a rest. 'He is going to be really important for us. He will play tomorrow night.' On the want-away whispers, Martin added: 'No, I've not heard anything. 'Not at all. He's been brilliant. 'I'm pretty sure Kevin and Patrick would have told me.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Russell Martin: Rangers should not be fazed by prospect of Champions League
Russell Martin insisted Rangers should not be fazed by the prospect of joining Europe's elite in this season's Champions League as he rallied his players for the first leg of their play-off tie against Club Brugge at Ibrox on Tuesday. Gers have had a difficult start to the campaign and it was suggested that – after proving out of their depth when they last qualified in 2022 – they are ill-equipped for the continent's premium competition and would be better suited to dropping into the Europa League instead. Martin dismissed any such notion and only sees positives associated with making it into the Champions League within three months of his appointment. 'I think the belief it would give the players would be massive,' he said. 'I think what it would do for the football club financially would be huge. 'So I think if we were able to do it, which I really believe we can, if we can do it and qualify for it, I think it would be brilliant. 'Someone asked me if we've got the squad depth and all that to sustain it, if we need to worry about it. I think let's try and get in there first and qualify. 'We're building a squad that has to compete in Europe, whether it's Europa League or the Champions League, so I think it would be incredibly exciting. It would help us a lot as a football club moving forward. 'Not just financially, but what it would do for the players and their belief. And to then pit yourself against some of the best teams in the world would be a brilliant opportunity for us. 'We have to attack it with everything we've got as a group, as a team and I really believe we can do it.' Although his side have negotiated their opening two Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen, Martin has come under intense scrutiny already, after some questionable performances and damaging draws in the opening two William Hill Premiership matches. Despite this – and the concerns of his mother – the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss insisted he was invigorated by the demands of life in the Ibrox hotseat. 'I'm more excited than ever really, so it hasn't diminished one bit,' he said. 'I think you have to roll with the punches here for sure and I think early on we understood we were going to have a bit of pain to go through. 'We have to win while we're going through some pain. When you come to this club, you have a chance to have experiences and moments you just don't get at any other football club and tomorrow night can be another night like that. 'I have a lot of people message me who read message boards and stuff who are concerned about me and they just don't have to be. So I keep telling my mum 'don't worry about it, it's all good. I'm enjoying it'. 'I've really enjoyed it. I appreciate the honour of managing this club every day and the gratitude I feel for that. 'I said to the staff as well, so many of them support the club but I think they've lost a bit of joy of being here and working here – so let's get back to that. Let's understand how big this is and how brilliant it could be.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Champions League would be a 'dream come true' for Aasgaard
Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard hopes to make "a dream come true" by helping his new club reach the Champions League. The 23-year-old, who joined Rangers in the summer from Luton Town, admits "it's every player's dream to play in the Champions League from when they're small".The Norwegian international was born in Liverpool and came from the Anfield club's youth academy before joining Wigan. "Champions League nights mean everything to me personally," he said."If I can contribute in a Rangers shirt on big European nights, it would be a dream come true. "Now I'm at Rangers to write my own story here and I'm really focused on the game against Club Brugge."If I could feature in this play-off game, it would be right up there for me."Aasgaard made his debut for the Ibrox side from the bench in their win over Alloa in the League Cup on Saturday, after injury delayed the start to his Rangers career. "It was a bit frustrating being injured for a few weeks but that just made me more hungry to get back," he added."I was delighted to finally get on the pitch."Last season I was injury free so I was really happy with that. "Coming in here, I had a couple of weeks with the squad which I really enjoyed but then felt a niggle in a pre-season game which has kept me out for four weeks."Mentally, it was a bit tough at first, but I've had injuries before in my career so I know how to deal with it."
