Martin ‘risks falling into major Clement trap’ after latest comments
Russell Martin needs to get off to a fast start as Rangers manager, but he already runs the risk of heading down a path to failure.
Rangers fans were underwhelmed as Martin was announced as the new manager following the takeover by a consortium led by 49ers Enterprises.
There was promise of a rebuild with names such as Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti linked, but Martin has been selected as the manager to lead it.
Rangers are set for a busy summer transfer window, but Martin’s latest comments may not hint at a ruthless clearout.
Martin wants to give Rangers squad chances
Martin has inherited a squad which put Rangers fans through a truly miserable season, and is in need of a huge clearout.
However, he has now claimed that he would like to give chances to the squad before making decisions over the future of some players.
“The focus has to be on assessing the group as much as we possibly can and making sure that we understand – which we have a good understanding of already – what areas we really need to strengthen in, and giving other people a chance as well,” he told reporters on Thursday (5 June).
| Martin | PPG |
| Southampton | 1.58 |
| Swansea | 1.35 |
| MK Dons | 1.38 |
“Hopefully by then we will some new recruits to help the group, but I am also conscious that I want to give some really good players a chance.”
While this would be a fair assessment in most cases, at Rangers right now, Martin risks falling into the same trap as previous managers.
Martin needs to be ruthless in squad rebuild
Martin’s comments indicate that he is prepared to give many players a second chance, including Rabbi Matondo, who was sent out on loan this past season.
Matondo arrived with a lot of hype, but could not deliver consistent performances under Michael Beale or Philippe Clement, and Derek Ferguson recently questioned why clubs would want to sign him in an exclusive chat with Mackem News.
The mistake both managers made was relying on existing players to become reliable, but Martin needs to go a different direction and ruthlessly gut the squad.
Players who have underwhelmed should be replaced, and Martin needs new faces to help breathe new life into Rangers this summer.
Matondo scored just eight goals in 67 Rangers appearances, and the 24-year-old is one of several players who need to be axed at the first possible opportunity this summer.