Chris Sutton left raging after recent Rangers announcement
Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on the Rangers fans as Russell Martin has been announced as the new manager.
After a lengthy saga that saw Davide Ancelotti and Martin face off, it was the latter who became the pick of the hierarchy.
The American consortium, comprising Andrew Cavanagh and 49ers Enterprises, completed the takeover, and one of their first major appointments was to bring the former Southampton boss to Ibrox.
Chris Sutton slams fans for their reaction to Martin’s appointment
Sutton has defended Martin’s appointment as Rangers’ manager, criticising fans’ unrealistic expectations and entitlement in expecting high-profile names like Jose Mourinho.
He argues that Gers, who haven’t won major trophies consistently in over a decade, are not positioned to attract elite European coaches like Dick Advocaat anymore.
Martin, despite his Southampton sacking, brings valuable experience from MK Dons, Swansea, and promoting Southampton from the Championship with adaptable, attractive football.
The former Hoops striker highlights Martin’s intelligence and principled character, suggesting his prior Ibrox stint as a player equips him to handle the club’s intense pressure.
| Martin | PPG |
| Southampton | 1.58 |
| Swansea | 1.35 |
| MK Dons | 1.38 |
He urges fans to be patient, emphasising that recruitment is key to Martin’s possession-based vision.
While immediate title success isn’t guaranteed, Sutton believes Martin can challenge Celtic with smart signings, leveraging his understanding of the club’s demands to shake off their mentality and build a competitive identity.
Sutton wrote in the Record: “Russell Martin has barely got his feet under the desk at Ibrox – yet even his choice of footwear has copped flak from some Rangers fans.
“It shows you what he’s up against. Martin committed the cardinal sin of not slipping on a pair of brogues for his unveiling the other day and it was just another thing to throw at the incoming head coach.
“The response from some to his appointment has been staggering. It reeks to me of entitlement – and misguided entitlement in that.
“But I’d like to know, who did they expect to get the job? In fact, we know the answer. I suspect some of them actually thought there was a chance Jose Mourinho was going to walk up the marble staircase this summer.”
“This isn’t the Rangers team of the nineties. They are not going to get an elite European boss like Dick Advocaat strolling in.
“They are deluded. They’ve barely won a trophy for more than 10 years and there’s another major rebuilding job required.”
Rangers fans must look at the positives of Russell Martin’s appointment
Sutton is spot on in urging Rangers fans to embrace Martin’s appointment and focus on its positives.
Fans’ expectations of marquee names like Mourinho are unrealistic given the club’s recent trophy drought and financial constraints.
Martin’s strengths lie in his proven track record – promoting Southampton from the Championship with adaptable, possession-based football and managing under pressure at MK Dons and Swansea.
His intelligence, principled leadership and prior Ibrox experience as a player equip him to navigate the club’s intense demands.
He’s got the potential to instil an attractive, defined playing identity, absent for years and his ability to develop younger players aligns with a sustainable rebuild.
With director Kevin Thelwell’s promised recruitment support, Martin can challenge Celtic and restore competitiveness.
Fans must shed entitlement, be patient, and back Martin’s vision and trust the new owners who’ve only recently taken over.