Russell Martin earns unanimous Rangers job verdict but there's one thing no-one can throw at Steven Gerrard

Daily Record

23-05-2025

Some bookies are saying it's a two-horse race between Martin and Gerrard and our panel debate the pros and cons of the frontrunners
Was Steven Gerrard a Rangers' success? | Should Celtic go for Giorgos Giakoumakis? | Ange Postecoglou stick or twist? - Game On
It's a busy time of year as the summer ramps up but you won't regret taking two minutes out of your day for Record Sport's new bitesized podcast – Game On!
Our expert panel discuss all the big issues in Scottish sport and beyond - in handy bitesize chunks.
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We will debate all the major global sporting topics in a fast-paced manner as the team gets their points across before the whistle blows. The handy segments of the show mean there's no waffling on, we get straight to the point and you can get your fix in a quick and easy manner.
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Game On, which is available now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, airs every Friday and this week Michael Gannon and Graeme Young passionately debate the big talking points. This week it's whether Russell Martin is a good fit for Rangers, if Steven Gerrard was actually success last time round, and whether Celtic should explore a return for Giorgos Giakoumakis – among plenty of others.
Here's just a flavour of it. You can watch the full podcast in the player above, or listen here.
Would Russell Martin be too risky for Rangers or a calculated gamble?
Michael Gannon: I think it would be a really interesting appointment. Rangers need a manager who's going to be a wee bit different in terms of their approach. He came a cropper for his ultra-attacking approach that at Southampton, he didn't have the players to do that in that league. But Rangers could do with someone thinking a bit differently with a swashbuckling approach.
We've seen plenty of Rangers managers over the years bogged down trying to beat teams. Not Celtic, they can usually compete with Celtic in a one-off game. But it's these games in Scotland where it's really hard to break teams down, not having that directness, pace or incisiveness. Being good on the break works in Europe; it doesn't work in Scotland. So I think it would be really interesting.
Graeme Young: The format of this show is all about debate but we're in perfect harmony here. Rangers have been missing that ability to squeeze the smaller teams, and really go for the jugular. He's probably been the closest fit for that, the Angeball style.
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He played for Rangers during quite a low point and it didn't go well on the pitch, but he'll be self aware of that. He's the man you should want, he can bring some freshness to Rangers, and he appears 49ers approved – I think they want that style of football.
Was Steven Gerrard really a success during his first spell?
Graeme: Yes. Things have followed him about, that 'do I look happy?' interview and the phrase 'one in nine' because he won one trophy out of nine. That couldn't be more unfair. The first season there was signs of growth, they showed who they were, they were on the up. And they got more streetwise as the seasons went on.
His last full season, romping to the league, there was a real regret about the cup defeats to St Mirren and St Johnstone. But he righted the wrongs of the title near-misses. I think a manager of his ability would have found a way to do that in the cups (if he'd stayed). Over a slightly longer sample period, he'd have been able to fix that.
Michael: You've got to remember where Rangers were when he came in. They were getting battered by Celtic, they were miles behind. It was a real rebuilding job and it took a bit of time. The end of his second season when the league got shut down, they were struggling. They lost at home to Hamilton and there were a few grumbles at that time.
But he'll always be remembered for delivering that first league title for so long, and for denying Celtic the fabled ten. Also what he did was regain credibility in Europe, and set the foundations in place for the run to a European final which was a huge achievement. I don't think anyone can suggest he wasn't a success.