Kris Boyd dismisses Celtic points gap and claims Russell Martin can lead Rangers to title glory

Daily Record

2 days ago

Gers ended the Premiership campaign 17 points behind their rivals but Boyd is adamant Martin can turn things around quickly
Kris Boyd believes Russell Martin is the man to end Celtic's dominance and make Rangers top dogs in Scotland again.
Gers finally ended their 102-day search for Philippe Clement's replacement by handing the Ibrox reins to ex-Southampton boss Martin.
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The former Scotland international has been tasked with leading the Light Blues' revival and bridging the gap with their rivals across the city.
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Martin – who has also managed MK Dons and Swansea – led Saints to Premier League promotion in 2024 but was axed in December after just one win from 16 top-flight matches.
The 39-year-old's mixed managerial record has heightened concerns among supporters as to whether he's the right man for the job.
Trophy-starved Rangers ended another dismal campaign 17 points behind runaway champions Celtic but Boyd is adamant Martin has the right credentials to transform the Glasgow giants into title challengers.
"Listen, it didn't make good reading for Rangers domestically last year once again", the legendary striker told Sky Sports News.
"But we've seen it before. You go back to Dick Advocat's team, they totally wiped the floor with Celtic. Martin O'Neill arrived and they totally wiped the floor with that Rangers team, which was a good Rangers team.
"I think that you look at Rangers' problems, they didn't come against Celtic last year, they were against everyone else.
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"So if Rangers can eradicate the results against everybody else and start to build momentum early, start winning the games against the rest, then the Old Firm games will take care of themselves.
"And Rangers have shown that they can cause Celtic problems in one-off games. But it's finding that consistency, and that's going to be the challenge for Russell Martin from now on.
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"He needs to find a level of consistency to go and beat the rest that allows Rangers to challenge towards the latter stage of the season against Celtic.
"I've seen bigger point gaps than this being turned around. It's not like in England where you might have one big team who's struggling, but there are another three or four who are doing okay, and you need to overtake the three or four.
"For Rangers, they only need to overtake Celtic for it to be a success. But, it's going to be a lot harder than you think because Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, have been a well-oiled machine now for a number of seasons.
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"They do look as if they will strengthen again in the summer. They've got an opportunity for Champions League football again.
"I think that it's a tough ask, but I think Rangers have got the right man, and he's shown that he can improve players, he can improve teams, he can build a culture within the football club that will allow the club to flourish going forward.
"So, for me, can that gap be closed? Of course it can. Rangers need to find that consistency against everyone else.
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"But also, we've all been part of squads where you know you're going to be playing, you know you're the first name on the team sheet, and that's not good. It's not healthy.
"You need to have people pushing you every single day in training, and I'm sure if Russell Martin's to add six or seven players to that, the starters from last year will probably become substitutes, and then it's up to them to fight back to try and get on the team.
"And that is a healthy squad."
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