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The Herald Scotland
28-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Europe nice but only one thing will keep Russell Martin at Rangers
'Europe has been a great thing for Liverpool, a great thing for the country,' he says in a voice like Ayrshire gravel. 'But this,' he adds with a nod towards the old English First Division trophy, 'is our bread and butter. This is the one that we want.' A Rangers manager doesn't have the luxury of listing his priorities like he's picking a goal of the month on Match of the Day. He's expected to apply the pedal to the metal, every minute of every game. During Saturday's pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough Martin was sent to the stand for mouthing off at referee John Beaton and that's the kind of passion supporters expect to see every game, starting with Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos Some, like Ally McCoist, think Europe doesn't matter so much this season. That it's secondary to the task of ending Celtic's stranglehold in Scotland. While he's right, holding players back for Motherwell on Saturday isn't really an option. Failure to protect a two-goal lead in the second leg Athens would bring instant, crushing judgement. It's the nature of the beast. For Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers investment group the £40 million on offer for reaching the group stages would fast-track their efforts to stabilise and rebuild and re-energise the club. Whether eight group games against the best teams in Europe is what Martin and his undercooked team really need in season one is a different matter. A smart man, the former Scotland defender must have noticed that all those Thursday night thrillers did nothing at all for the job prospects of the men who held the job before him. Beating Real Betis and Malmo and Nice didn't count for much when they started losing games to Aberdeen, Motherwell or Queen's Park. Fat lot of good European football did them then. Giovanni van Bronckhorst led the club to a Europa League final and lost a penalty shoot out in a sudden-death lottery in the heat of Seville. Even that couldn't save him when his team were thumped 4-0 at Parkhead, slipped behind [[Celtic]] and endured one of the worst [[Champions League]] campaigns in history. Michael Beale beat Servette in a Champions League qualifier then sustained a thrashing in Eindhoven. His last European game in charge was a 1-0 win over Real Betis two weeks after he'd lost to Celtic at home. That, you suspect, was a bigger issue than any of the games he oversaw in UEFA competition. Next up was Big Phil Clement. Time and again his side pressed high and hit teams fast on the counter in the [[Europa League]]. They won in Malmo and thrashed Nice in the South of France. They thumped FCSB and pulled off a big result in Greece against an Olympiacos who left current opponents Panathinaikos trailing in the league. They drew with a star-studded Tottenham side which went on to lift the trophy. When his side fell into a habit of travelling home and dropping points to the likes of [[Aberdeen]], Dundee United or Hibs he was done for as well. Ask the fallen trio now and they'd tell you that Europe was nice, but didn't wash the dishes. The only thing that does that is Callum McGregor blubbing on the Hampden pitch after another defeat in a cup final or red, white and blue ribbons wrapped around the league trophy. Read more: Stephen McGowan: Brexit makes Scottish players too expensive for Scottish clubs Stephen McGowan: Are Celtic doing enough to keep Brendan Rodgers? Obligingly, Celtic seem to be doing all they can to help with that. The Parkhead hierarchy are going the extra mile to create a competitive title race next season. Controlling shareholder Dermot Desmond has yet to persuade Brendan Rodgers to hang around beyond the end of his contract next summer. They insist on irritating other clubs by making low-ball offers for their players while commanding top dollar for their own. And a midweek 5-1 defeat to Ajax showed that the depth and quality of the squad hasn't improved markedly since they finished the Scottish Cup final with Johnny Kenny up front and Greg Taylor in midfield. They'll spend a few quid eventually, because the alternative is fans in the car park bearing pitch forks. In the here and now the champions are playing Russian roulette with the patience of both their own manager and their supporters. Rodgers fired the first warning shot across the bows of his own directors in Como the other night. 'If your ambition is to really progress and push forward, then we need to improve the squad,' he cautioned. There and then it felt like someone had fired up the flux capacitor on the DeLorean and propelled the club back to the Terminado summer of 2018. For Rangers and Russell Martin all of this represents a rare window of opportunity. A chance to lay down a marker in the first season. You know it's autumn in Scotland when the leaves tumble from the trees and the Ibrox club dispense with another manager. By common consent the former Scotland defender needs the time to avoid another rinse-and-repeat episode. In the real world, the only way he gets that time is if he gives the team a style and an identity and finds a way to break down the low block of teams with lesser budgets while adding to the angst taking root across the city. In his footballing nirvana Martin would gain the upper hand in Scotland and win a few games in Europe as well. That's a big ask for a new manager working with new owners, a new sporting director and a new team. And, if there's a sacrifice to be made at some point then, in the interests of self preservation, he should take a leaf out of the Bill Shankly management manual and focus on the bread and butter. It's how he keeps his job.
The Sun
26-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Rangers boss Russell Martin SENT OFF by John Beaton in tunnel at half time during friendly with Middlesbrough
RANGERS boss Russell Martin was sensationally SENT OFF by John Beaton during today's pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough. Footage showed the new Ibrox gaffer taking in the second half of the match from the gantry - but rather than to get a better viewpoint SunSport understands it was because whistler Beaton ordered him from the technical area. 3 3 3 Footage during the 2-2 draw showed Martin attempting to get the match official's attention when appeals for a penalty against Luke Ayling for handball were waved away during the match. Afterwards, Martin admitted he had overstepped the mark with his protests, saying: "It was frustration a bit as well about the performance in the first half. "I didn't like the nergy or the body language of too many on the pitch. "I think we should have had a penalty. The fourth official didn't help the officials. "I'm a passionate guy and I probably overstepped the mark. "I enjoyed watching the second half from the stand ... it was a good view. "In friendlies I hope I don't have to spend too long up here. I went and apologised to the official. "I need to get used to how it works up here as well as down the road. "I got a good view of the game and he got peace and quiet." Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Michael Stewart launches fiery tirade at Hearts hierarchy after Scottish Cup exit
The former Jambos midfielder has accused the club of 'playing to the gallery' after their statement following the Scottish Cup defeat to Aberdeen. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart launched a long and fiery tirade not just against referee John Beaton but also against the club itself following their Scottish Cup semi final exit to Aberdeen. Michael Stewart didn't hold back when discussing Hearts' Scottish Cup semi final defeat to Aberdeen and the club's statement in the aftermath (Pic: SNS) | SNS Group The BBC Scotland and Premier Sports pundit was speaking with former Rangers and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton as well as host Darrell Currie on the latest episode of the Scottish Football Social Club show. It came after Hearts released a statement questioning the actions of Beaton who sent off Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin with the Jambos being beaten 2-1 in extra time and finishing the match with nine men. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stewart touched on multiple issues from the match itself to head coach Neil Critchley and the board of directors, making reference to previous comments made by CEO Andrew Critchley. You can watch the full segment on Premier Sports YouTube channel or read what was said below... Michael Stewart takes aim at Hearts hierarchy after Scottish Cup exit First up, Stewart spoke on Cammy Devlin's sending off in the semi final defeat to Aberdeen. He also touched on the match as a whole. He said: 'First and foremost, Hearts were the better team in the first half in regards to a straight shoot out between the two teams. The sending off just before half time changes the dynamic completely so it becomes a different style of game and then Heart's as a defensive outfit I thought looked pretty comfortable. 'Aberdeen huffed and puffed without really threatening them too much. Touching on the second yellow card, just ludicrous. Okay it's a free kick it's a free kick, John Beaton understandably gives it but it's never a yellow card and I just find that so disappointing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Now I see Hearts' statement coming out and you understand the frustration of course, it's a semi-final and the referee's made a mistake. I'm trying to be as balanced as possible, I don't think you could say it had a material effect on the game that second yellow card.' Host Darrell Currie jumped in at this point, asking: 'How could you say that though? Because even psychologically you're hanging on with 10 then, you go down to nine, it's a bad decision as well. I know what you're saying, that might not have had an impact on the goal. Do you not think it's still a massive moment in the game, who even knows that the placings of the players on the eventual winning goal having an extra man in the park might have helped?" Stewart responded: 'I hear all you're saying and there is an argument for that but in my view it's not like, for example they've scored straight from the free kick, or there's been another incident in the middle of the park where they've lost the ball and they're outnumbered because there's a man down. I get what you're saying but I don't see it as being so blatant that it was a direct consequence of that sending off that led to the goal. 'They were good Hearts, they were. There's credit to be given there but the most important thing is getting through a cup final and that's what Aberdeen have done. Aberdeen were poor but they managed to get through to a cup final and that's all that really counts and for Hearts, as much as you can point to certain things and say the performance was good, that sending off has changed the game, defensively they looks sound. There's bigger picture issues and bigger picture decisions to be made about Hearts and I just don't think that this game alters or changes that dramatically.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Discussing Neil Critchley's half time substitutions where defender Frankie Kent and Craig Halkett replaced strikers James Wilson and Elton Kabangu, Stewart commented: 'It's a fair enough point but this is what I would say about what happened there and forgive me for going back and harping on about this point but it's a pertinent point as far as I'm concerned. If Hearts had a balanced team with pace you could have gone to the defensive setup that they had and still been a real threat going forward. 'So it becomes a difficult situation for Neil Critchley, does he leave himself a little bit more exposed at the back to try to have the threat up top or does he look to contain? It was effectively trying to play for penalties or trying to get a set piece and hope you get something from that but it's because the team and the squad is so imbalanced the options to be able to do other things were very slim. 'You look at the quality that comes on, Frankie Kent's a good defender, Craig Halkett barring the injuries is a very good defender and Kingsley likewise. They don't have the equivalent of that in forward areas or wide areas in terms of the quality so they become very limited in what they're able to do and I thought the decisions he's made almost paid off perfectly but at the same time it still highlights what that team has been sorely lacking for years.' Hutton and Stewart react to Hearts club statement Reacting to the statement released by Hearts, Alan Hutton commented: 'I don't have a problem with it, personally. I think if they feel the need to let everybody know and voice their opinion on what's happened to them this season, then no problem. I think the Cammy Devlin one, it was rubbish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The second you look up, he's not even looking, he's going to clear the ball, and he catches him on the foot. Play on, they still had possession of the ball, they could have still attacked, they could have done something, so they could have just went, right, play on, and then after it, the referee just has to say to them, look, watch what you're doing, you've already been booked, just calm it, or whatever it may be. I've not got a problem with Hearts coming out and saying what they feel moving forward, and it needs to get better, because at times it hasn't been good enough, simple as that.' Stewart then returned to the conversation, saying: "I was just going to say, not that I disagree with that, but I just feel at times, clubs coming out with statements like that and then saying 'don't take our silence for inaction'. Previously in the season that was a quote that they came out with. I just feel it's playing to the galleries a wee bit. 'I suppose it's probably just my slight hesitation and reluctance to feel like the board are making good decisions. I'm probably being a wee bit prejudice this year in terms of all the other things that I've got concerns about with the board. 'There was a fairly heated debate that I heard. Big Chris Sutton was saying that Neil Critchley's job was to keep hearts up, which is utter garbage, like total nonsense. Use Andrew McKinley's own words, he said himself, way after Neil Critchley had already been appointed, that he still felt they were going to get in the top six, and they were going to qualify for Europe. So there's a stark difference between getting into Europe, top six, and qualifying for Europe, and getting relegated. There's a huge difference between those two things. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The job was not for hearts to stay in the division. The job was clearly to try and push to get into the top six. They've not done that. My issues and my concerns are that for a number of years, footballing decisions have been poor and, also, which probably leads me to say what I just said there about feeling like they're playing to the galleries slightly is that Hearts are a fan-owned club, which I think is brilliant, but in any system like that, you still have a hierarchy, and you still have to have people, strong people making strong decisions. 'I feel too often, they follow what they hear outside. To me, that is not a healthy way to run something. You can't run by committee. It doesn't work and when you look at the poor footballing decisions that have been made, managerial appointments, not a particularly great track record, you look at the deficiencies in the squad, and it's been like that for a number of years. Not particularly great. This is a club that takes huge sums of money in from the fans 'I don't think it's been spent and invested as wisely as it could. The business side of the club has been done brilliantly for a number of years. Fantastic. The whole setup of the club is perfectly placed for Hearts. Over the last three or four years, with the guaranteed group stage European football, to have kicked on and I don't think it has kicked on. I think it's stagnated slightly and now they're in the bottom six, which is regression. 'So, to look at the status quo and Neil Critchley moving into next season. Is he the manager? Is he not the manager? Or whatever, right? I mean, it's irrespective of whether he stays or he goes. You can guarantee that if he's in charge to start the next season, if they don't start the season well, you know what happens. Come October, November, it will be rinse and repeat." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stewart questions Jamestown Analytics role in Hearts recruitment Finally, the former Jambos midfielder brought the role that Jamestown Analytics plays in the club's recruitment of players into the spotlight. It came after his fellow panellists had brought up the new contracts signed by Adam Forrester and James Wilson last week. On those deals, Stewart said: 'This is catch up. This is stuff that has been apparent to many people. I'm not suggesting it's the manager's fault. I'm still talking about the club as a whole here. When you then talk about the manager, for example, look, I'm just not sure. He's not a leader for me. Are Hearts going to maximise their potential with the current set-up in place. I don't think they will. That's just my honest opinion. 'Let's look at the recruitment side of things here in Jamestown Analytics. I'm not really sure why or how you need a data analytics company to tell you about Harry Milne, who's a left-back in the Scottish your scout, use his two eyes and tell you what he thinks. "Jamie McCart, I don't understand why you need the data. Surely you merge the two things, the data and your eyes, to then form the opinion. There has to be an identity to that and my fear is that it becomes a little bit of a discord group and that becomes more difficult to knit things together. Great to see young Wilson and Forrester getting new contracts but I do think you need to really, really be careful and make sure that that spine of the team, not just the periphery, but the spine of the team, is more domestic. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "I think it is a big summer because there's a group of players there as well who have done very well over a number of years but they are at the stage where they probably need to be replaced in the squad as a whole. The likes of Kingsley's been picking up a few injuries. He becomes more difficult to rely upon. Craig Halkett even more so. Lawrence Shankland is probably going to leave, it would look like. "The midfield as a whole, of which there is a plethora of midfielders, but none of them that balance out with Beningame, who is a good player, I thought he was very good on Saturday. He just needs that support around him and he's not really got that, so he needs more support in the middle of the park. He needs wide players, he needs another winger. "They've obviously signed a right back, that's one that they need. What's going to happen with Craig Gordon? That's an interesting one. 42-year-old, Scotland's number one, but it doesn't appear like they're moving forward at the moment, I'm not sure. So there is a fair bit of work that's needed."
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
The blatant contempt Celtic are held in by jealous rivals will rob a man of his rightful prize
Hearts have come out swinging at officials over their Scottish Cup semi final defeat to Aberdeen. Tynecastle chiefs want answers from the SFA after ref John Beaton sent off Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin - before adding a third after the full time whistle as he flashed red at assistant boss Mike Garrity. Hotline callers, however, have already made up their minds on the matter. Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: 'Once again the outcome of a cup game at Hampden has been influenced by the inept performance of the match officials. The first red card for Hearts is debatable on the basis that there was a defender capable of covering. The second booking for Devlin was a disgrace, he had his eyes fully on the ball and the Aberdeen player nicks in just as he goes to play it, making the contact accidental. Too often now games have been won and lost through the ineptitude of our referees and I have no doubt that Beaton and his match officials done Hearts out of a place in the final.' But Ian Urquhart isn't impressed with the Jambos' claims.. He emailed: 'All season we have had to listen to what Hearts were going to do this season, first it was split the Old Firm, then get third, then top six and win the Scottish Cup. Now it's the referee's fault for cheating. What a lot of nonsense that lot talk, the sooner they realise they are an average team in the bottom half of the league for a reason the better. At this stage they still could be in a relegation scrap. Third team in Scotland? They're not even the third biggest in Edinburgh.' And Hibee Neil Renton, Leith, couldn't resist chipping in. He said: 'I had to check that it wasn't the first of April when I read Hearts'l statement. Maybe they should print out loads of the statement and use it to paper over the cracks at Tynie. The Gorgie mob are in free fall and they're at fault - not officials.' Celtic cantered into the final with a 5-0 win over St Johnstone and Brendan Rodgers now stands on the brink of a historic third domestic treble as boss. Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: 'There is only one choice for manager of the year. Brendan Rodgers has re-established Celtic as Scotland's top European club and the only one competing at the top level. He's also made us the world's most successful football club and if he completes the Treble will make this our greatest season since Lisbon. Case closed.' But Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, argued: 'Celtic fans are being disrespectful to Aberdeen as the Scottish Cup is still to play for. Brendan Rodgers claiming a historic treble? They should wait and not count their chickens before they hatch.' Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: 'That was a five star performance against a side that have had a fantastic Scottish Cup record in recent years. Even with Maeda playing out wide when I believe his best position is centre forward he still weighed in with two goals. However, despite his goal, Adam Idah still flatters to deceive and if Kyogo is open to a move back next season Rodgers should prioritise this.' Scott McAdam, Glasgow, took aim at regular caller Alan Flett when he said: 'What a performance from the champions, no doubt we will be told we are playing no one by Alan Flett and few others. But it will be great to see title number 55 done and a cup final to look forward to. Over at Ibrox I hear they are leaving a phone box for the fans to get in so they can enjoy all the dead rubbers they have left.' And Stephen McDonald emailed: 'So Rangers have ended the season with no trophies again, everyone knew this at start of the season except Rangers fans. The simple fact is that the next Old Firm is a dead rubber. For Celtic our only priority left this season is the Scottish Cup and it has been for a while.'
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hearts backed in John Beaton red card row as former ref calls for VAR rule change
Des Roache believes the Jambos have a case against Beaton after questioning both Cammy Devlin yellow cards Former ref Des Roache believes John Beaton messed up by sending Cammy Devlin off for a second yellow card at Hampden. The Hearts midfielder was dismissed following a second booking at the national stadium, reducing the Jambos ti nine men after Michael Stenweinder wa sshown a straight red in the first half. And Aberdeen punished them by netting a 188th minute winner moments after Devlin;s departure to book their Scottish Cup Final place. The Tynecastle club released a statement on Tuesday demanding answers from the SFA as to why Devlin received either of his "unwarranted" yellows, as well as other decisions that have gone against them this season. And Roache believes they have a case against Beaton. Speaking on Record Sport's Hotline Live, he said: "I thought John Beaton made an error. I don't think the second yellow card is justified. " Cammy Devlin made a genuine attempt to play the ball. Dante Polvara is coming from behind - it's just a foul. If it even is a foul, not every foul is a yellow card. Not every physical contact is a yellow card. "What is Cammy Devlin meant to do there? If I'm a manager or a coach, I'm asking my player to try and clear that ball. "As a referee, maybe I'm looking at it differently than John Beaton. But at that moment, the player has made a genuine attempt to play the ball, nit any lunging contact. "For me, it's not a foul and John Beaton has made an error." Currently, VAR can't get involved with yellow card decisions. But Roache has called for that to be looked at when it's a second caution and is the difference between a player being sent for an early bath or not. He said: "I completely agree because it does have a fundamental impact upon the game. Hearts are then down to nine men. "What are the words that we always hear? Clear and obvious error. "Now if there's a yellow card offence, I understand that under the current laws of the game, a yellow card can't be considered a clear and obvious error. "But this is. It is a clear and obvious error. And VAR should be getting involved. I really think that's an area that has to be looked at. "I was always told as a referee, if you're giving a second yellow card, everybody in the world has to know it;s a second yellow card and that's why the player has been sent off. "That's how you sell the decision as everybody goes 'aw, he's already been yellow carded, that's stupid, he;s got to go off.' "For that one? I can guarantee that none of us think that's a second yellow card." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
