09-07-2025
I worked with a Rangers manager who infamously only had Plan A but I sense something different in Russell Martin
The Ibrox faithful were left struggling to mind their Ps and Qs 10 years ago
Cammy Bell played under a Rangers manager whose insistence on perfecting Plan A eventually spelled trouble at Ibrox.
But he believes Russell Martin has realised he'll have to switch schemes if he's to avoid being branded another B-list boss.
The former Ibrox keeper saw how Mark Warburton's refusal to budge from his strict passing philosophies eventually allowed teams to work out his tactics.
While the Londoner enjoyed success in his first campaign in Glasgow, it didn't last.
He famously claimed his 'Plan B was to do Plan A better'.
But in the end, the Ibrox faithful were left struggling to mind their Ps and Qs as his team became bogged down in a aimless succession of passes, all the while Brendan Rodgers ' Celtic Invincibles were disappearing off over the horizon.
The complaints aimed at Warbs were similar to the criticism Martin had to deal with last term as his Southampton team's insistence on playing out from the defence backfired among the merciless big beasts of the Premier League.
It proved to be a chastening experience for the new Gers gaffer, who lasted less than six months before being axed.
But Bell believes he'll have taken a valuable lesson from that experience as he now sets his targets on making Rangers Scotland's A-team once more.
'Listen, that was a clear message from Mark Warburton - 'do Plan A better',' recalled Bell. 'We worked on it relentlessly and training every single day was geared towards the way he wanted us to play on a Saturday.
'But when you look at the opposition that you play these days using different formations, different styles, who play at different levels in Europe and also domestically, Rangers will need to have a plan B.
'You can't always rely on plan A working.
'Sometimes things can go against you - you have a man sent off, a refereeing decision. Sometimes plan A doesn't work out the way you think it's going to.
'So you've always got to be able to adapt within games and certainly when I look across the continent, the best managers always adapt during the game if they need to.
'Yes, in an ideal world we'd love plan A to work and it to be the one that gets you over the line and wins you that game of football.
'But I think Russell Martin will certainly come with an idea of a plan B because when you face the likes of Celtic in an Old Firm game, you have to have a plan B.'
That's now how Warburton saw it - but his players certainly did.
Bell said: 'Yes, there were times certainly during my time when we sat in the changing room and thought teams had figured this out. They knew how to play against us and we were making it easy for them.
'And that's why, again, I reflect back to the need to have a different game plan, to be able to adjust and adapt.
'Listen, there's times when the boys will have to start taking responsibility on the pitch.
'Yes, you've got your plan A but if you see the ball over the top to your striker making that run, are you allowed to play that?
'I feel as if Russell Martin's got that adaptability in his management as well, to allow his players the freedom to express themselves.
'He wants them to go on the pitch, play attacking football, problem solve. Again, I think that's the best managers, they allow their players, if they're good enough, to go and do it and go and make the game happen for them.
Martin got his first taste of what he can expect if things go wrong this season.
Sunday's kick-about with Club Brugge may have been his side's first pre-season friendly, but that didn't stop the impatient Ibrox faithful from BOOING his team off at half-time as they went in 2-0 down.
Gers recovered to claim a decent draw against the Belgian giants and Martin will now hope to iron out the creases highlighted at the weekend during this week's training camp in St George's Park in Burton.
But Bell reckons the manager might have to protect his players going forward if he is to shield them from the flak that comes while they figure out his new style of play.
He said: 'I think he will take it on his shoulders. He explained the style of football that he plays. We all understand it.
'It's in tight areas. He knows that players are going to be uncomfortable in some areas of taking the ball and retaining possession. But again, that's the whole training part.
'It's adapting to these small, tight areas and finding solutions. But I think he's got to. The manager always takes the responsibility of the style that they play and the way that they go about their business.
'Rangers is all about results. We know that. We know it's about winning for Rangers.
'Russell Martin's got a big job ahead of himself. He's got a huge task ahead of himself. We're getting these players ready for the start of the season.
'But I'm pretty sure he believes that he can do it.'
It's early days, but Bell is encouraged by what he's seen from the new-look Gers and the small soundbites he's heard from Martin.
Bell added: 'Russell knows he's got a lot to prove to the fans.
'The only way he can prove to Rangers fans is by winning games of football, winning trophies. He's got that opportunity to do it now. Listen, people judge people before things actually happen.
'I don't think he should do that. I think he should love the opportunity to get behind him. He's got a big summer ahead of himself with regards to recruitment.
'Players that need to come in. Players that need to leave the club. But it's not just him.
'It's a team effort. Now you see Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell as well working behind the scenes. So there's a big effort for Rangers Football Club this summer.
'But as I say, judge Russell Martin on results.'
Cammy Bell was launching the Refugee World Cup Scotland 2025 tournament on Sunday 29 th June at Toryglen Regional Football Centre. The event celebrates the diversity of communities in Scotland through football while standing up for the rights of refugees.'
