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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers coach reflects on ‘amazing' return to club as he's spotted back at Ibrox for first time since sacking
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE brand new era at Rangers is well and truly up and running now. But a prominent figure from the Light Blues' recent past has been spotted back at Ibrox for the first time since his exit. 3 Harry Watling (left) was part of Michael Beale's Rangers coaching staff Credit: Willie Vass 3 Watling with Rangers star Findlay Curtis Credit: Willie Vass 3 He's now working under Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough Credit: PA Having seen-off Panathinaikos in last Tuesday's crunch opening Champions League qualifier, Rangers were back in friendly action on Saturday. Russell Martin's side welcomed English Championship outfit Middlesbrough to Govan for their final friendly clash of the summer. The Gers boss was able to give a number of squad players minutes but they failed to really stake a claim as they fell 2-0 down. Goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis levelled things up as the entertaining clash finished 2-2. It's a new era for Boro too with Rob Edwards now in charge. The former Luton boss, whose name was linked to the Rangers vacancy at one point in time, has replaced Michael Carrick as boss. Alongside Edwards in the dugout at Ibrox on Saturday was a familiar face. Harry Watling previously worked as first team coach at Rangers and is now an assistant at Boro. Watling, 35, was a key part of Michael Beale's staff at the Light Blues during his rather ill-fated spell as boss. He'd previously worked with him at QPR. Russell Martin opens up after he got sent off by John Beaton in pre-season friendly vs 'Boro When Beale was sacked as manager in October 2023, his entire coaching staff was also dismissed, including Watling. That decision came after a horror start to the 2023/24 season. After leaving Ibrox, Watling landed the managerial role at Ebbsfleet United in September in 2024 but departed after only three months after one win in 13. He returned to football last month when he landed the key role alongside Edwards at Boro. Saturday's friendly clash offered Watling the first chance to return to Ibrox since his dismissal. And it's fair to say he enjoyed it. On Instagram, Watling said: "It was amazing to go back to Ibrox for the first time again yesterday. "A huge shout-out to the 8,000 @theboroofficial fans who made it electric. "So nice to see some old faces too from staff to players. "Thank you to everyone for making it such a warm welcome back. "Excited to begin another huge season." Middlesbrough face local rivals Hartlepool away from home in a friendly this Wednesday before taking on Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna at home on Saturday. The real stuff starts for them the following weekend with a home clash against Swansea to open the Championship season. For Rangers, the real stuff has of course already started. The Gers head to Athens to take on Panathinaikos in the second leg of their Champions League second round qualifier on Wednesday. Then on Saturday, the Scottish Premiership gets underway as the Gers head to Motherwell in the evening TV game. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Irked Russell Martin's six word message to Rangers team made something crystal clear before game even started
The new Ibrox boss was left unimpressed with a number of players after handing out chances to stake claim Russell Martin finished the game watching from the stands. And he warned his sloppy fringe men they'd better buck up their ideas if they want to avoid spending the rest of the season there too. The new Ibrox boss was unimpressed with a number of players he handed a big chance to stake their claim in the 2-2 friendly draw with Middlesbrough - revealing he spotted signs they weren't up for the fight in the WARM-UP. After throwing on the cavalry with half an hour remaining to salvage a draw, Martin admitted the lack of depth to his squad was obvious. Goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis rescued a draw after Neto Borges and Dael Fry had Boro two ahead. Martin was then sent off at the interval for protesting over the non-award of a penalty too hard. But having made 11 changes to the side that started Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League qualifying first leg victory over Panathinaikos, it was the application of some of his second string which had him seeing red at full time. Oscar Cortes and Josh Gentles were singled out for praise. But Martin said: 'A lot of the moments that were uncomfortable for us were down to a lack of intensity on our part. 'And I said to the guys - I didn't like the warm up. "There's a bit of disappointment in a few people, maybe not in the team and that stuff. "But if you're disappointed, and especially playing for this football club, you have to show it in being more aggressive, more intense, not being downbeat and sort of just being out there and letting the game pass you by a little bit. 'So they know that now. That can't happen. It can't be a problem for us. 'Whenever you step on the pitch for this club and this team, you have to be all in. 'So that was a good lesson for a couple. And the rest I'm really pleased with, and we're better than we were before the game for sure. 'I think we're learning about people all the time. And every situation is different. Every person as a player, but as a person, is different. 'There was just a little bit too much in the first half that I didn't really like and there were some good moments in the first half. 'But I think the thing to take is, when you're not playing or not in the starting 11 right now then we're at the start of a very, very long season and we are going to need everyone. I've told them that. 'But you need to be a bit more like Oscar, run really hard. 'Maybe his end product wasn't quite there today because he hasn't played too much, but effort, endeavour, willingness to run, to help your mate, fantastic. Josh Gentles the same. 'That's where you need to be when you if you want to be part of this in the long term.' Martin fired the warning to his players two days before the fly out to Greece for Wednesday's crucial qualifier. A 2-0 first leg win at Ibrox has given Rangers a cushion ahead of what's expected to be an intense evening in Athens Olympic Stadium. And he reckons the sluggish start was a timely reminder of the levels and intensity that will be required if they are to see off Panathinaikos and keep their £40m Champions League dream alive. He said: 'If we were in a difficult situation, it's down to us, a lack of intensity, not being in the right position quickly enough. So I think that's the lesson. 'If you're not going to play with enough intensity or enough speed or enough aggression, then you will be put into difficult situations way more than you are if you want to bring all of those to the party. 'So, especially early on in the game when a team has energy and they're fresh and they have a really good organized press and they have a good coach. 'We knew it'd be difficult for the guys. I don't think we expected anything less. But be difficult on our terms. 'If we're running, being aggressive, playing with intensity, and it's still difficult, then we can look at it and try and fix it. But don't be difficult on someone else's terms.' Curtis followed up his wonderstrike that opened the scoring against the Greeks on Tuesday night with another Ibrox strike to seal the draw with 11 minutes remaining. This time it was all about awareness as he pounced to bury the loose ball after Nico Raskin's header was saved. And Martin said: 'He showed good instinct today. He got better on Tuesday as the game went on and he showed some good stuff today, some good timing, some good bits. 'So, just a really good learner. And I thought Nico was brilliant next to him today as well. 'The best Nico's played since we've been here, so I'm really pleased with Nico's contribution because I think having Max Aarons and Nico on your side of the pitch will definitely help Findlay. 'And he just needs to keep listening, keep learning. Good instinct today, good character, good attitude. As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be fine.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Martin reveals why Igamane missed Rangers friendly
The forward was absent from the match squad, despite playing in his side's 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in midweek. Head coach Martin explained: "He picked up a little bit of an injury on Tuesday night. "So, I think he missed a lot of pre-season, and he's been really trying hard to catch up fitness-wise. "He's got himself in a good place. Read more: "He's not going to be out for a long time. "He's a big, strong boy. "We hope to have him back on Wednesday night." Rangers managed to draw with the English Championship side this afternoon. Neto Borges and Dael Fry had Boro leading at half-time, but goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis earned Rangers a 2-2 draw. The Ibrox club now focus on the second leg of their Champions League qualifying tie with Panathinaikos. Martin's team hold a two-goal advantage and will aim to advance to the third qualifying round. If successful, they will meet either Servette of Switzerland or Viktoria Plzen from the Czech Republic. [[Rangers]] are eager to make progress in their Champions League campaign.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Russell Martin responds to Rangers friendly red card
The Championship side found themselves 2-0 up at the break after goals from Neto Borges and Dael Fry. Rangers, however, bounced back in the second half with goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis, ending the game in a 2-2 draw. Martin was dismissed for arguing with the fourth official after Rangers were not awarded a penalty for a potential handball by Boro's Luke Ayling in the first half. Read more: Martin said after the match: "I think we should've had a penalty. "The fourth official can definitely help the officials. "I'm a passionate guy. "I probably overstepped the mark, and I enjoyed watching the game from the stands in the second half. "It was a good view from there, actually. "I went and apologised to the official [after]. "I need to get used to how it works up here compared to down the road." Rangers will be back in action midweek as they travel to face Panathinaikos in the return leg of their second-round Champions League qualifier. Martin's men hold a 2-0 aggregate lead.
The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Martin explains Igamane's Rangers absence vs Middlesbrough
The forward was left out of the squad for the match, despite playing 15 minutes off the bench in his side's 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying midweek. Read more: Speaking post-match, head coach Martin explained why Igamane wasn't included today: "He picked up a little bit of an injury on Tuesday night," he said. "So, I think he missed a lot of pre-season, and he's been really trying hard to catch up fitness-wise. He's got himself in a good place. "He's not going to be out for a long time. He's a big, strong boy. We hope to have him back on Wednesday night." Rangers came from behind to draw with the English Championship outfit this afternoon. Goals from Neto Borges and Dael Fry had Boro in front at half-time, although the hosts got themselves level before the end, as strikes courtesy of Danilo and Findlay Curtis saw the game finish 2-2. The Ibrox club now turn their attention to the second leg of their tie with Panathinaikos. Holding a two-goal advantage, Martin's men will be keen to progress to the third round of Champions League qualifying, where they could face Servette of Switzerland or Viktoria Plzen, who hail from the Czech Republic.
