Russell Martin and Rangers figures who fought for him now stand on brink of the most uncomfortable of truths
Hugh Keevins reckons that trouble is brewing for the boss going into the clash with St Mirren
Veteran sportswriter and broadcaster with a distinctive style. A boxing expert as well as a football writer and columnist for the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, Hugh also presents Clyde 1 FM’s Superscoreboard show.
Another day, another ordeal for Russell Martin.
If Rangers drop points against St Mirren in Paisley it will send the head coach’s personal approval rating plummeting to new depths of disdain.
Unless, of course, Tuesday night’s going over by Club Brugge in the Champions League hasn’t already embedded Martin’s reputation at Ground Zero.
The rhythm of life in Glasgow has been disrupted by the Old Firm’s start to the season and Russell is one of the casualties.
Historically, Celtic being in the ascendancy meant Rangers were toiling, or vice versa.
Now one set of fans can’t laugh at the other one’s misery because both are in a simultaneous state of disrepair. One lot wants the manager removed, the other lot wants their club’s board sacked.
The supporters’ equilibrium has been shot to pieces. One radio caller the other night illustrated the point by saying he didn’t want to indulge in knee-jerk reactions then added: “If Martin doesn’t win on Sunday he must be out.”
Paisley is, therefore, all about high noon, high anxiety and high stakes for Martin.
Tuesday was about a low mark, low intensity and low expectations. A Champions League play-off tie and Ibrox wasn’t sold out. That tells you all you need to know about the level of belief.
But Russell doesn’t need a miracle in Belgium on Wednesday. He needs things that are very much of this earth.
Like Rangers scoring three and conceding none. Like the head coach picking the right team to begin with.
But, before all that, today brings the fixture that was rescheduled to forfeit a rest period in advance of Europe and facilitate the risk of going into the first Old Firm derby of the season seven points behind the team from across the road on the other side of the city.
If Martin doesn’t deliver a win on Sunday and Rangers go out of the Champions League, the head coach must face an uncomfortable truth.
He accused his players of going into “self preservation” mode when they dropped two points in the league curtain-raiser at Motherwell.
Now they’re on the rebound from self-destruction against Club Brugge. But with the corporate governance being questioned by disgruntled supporters, how long before one says: “What about 49ers Enterprises and making Rangers great again?”
The fans were initially excited at the thought of big bucks being invested by the Americans. Now the complaint is the side is full of loanees.
And the concept of financial sustainability has been called into question by increasing an already inflated wage bill while not reducing a bloated squad.
It’s alleged there’s a player nowhere near Martin’s first team who’s trousering £35k a week.
The last week of the transfer window will surely be about outgoings – and I’m not talking about a Champions League exit.
And, finally, with regard to 49ers Enterprises, it was their decision to appoint Martin. A decision that will continue to be criticised until the coach delivers reasons for a review of his worth.
Sunday would be a good time to start because some people are beginning to say they would rather have St Mirren’s manager Stephen Robinson than the one they’ve got.