Chris Sutton says claims for Rangers to sack Russell Martin are ‘absolutely ridiculous’
Rangers fans aren’t too convinced about Russell Martin after the first few games of the season.
The Scottish manager has done well to lead the Gers to the Champions League play-off, but ahead of Rangers first leg against Club Brugge at Ibrox on 19 August, the performances haven’t been convincing.
Martin’s record in the William Hill Premiership has been underwhelming, failing to win their opening two league games for the first time in 35 years.
Even when the Light Blues have picked up positive results, the displays haven’t been good enough, but it may be too soon to judge the 39-year-old head coach.
Martin needs time at Rangers
Supporters need to back Martin amid calls for his dismissal at the Gers, Chris Sutton says.
The ex-Celtic forward feels it’s ‘absolutely ridiculous’ to see people demanding the Scottish manager’s sacking at Ibrox after just seven games.
Sutton believes the former Southampton boss needs more time at the Glaswegian outfit, and it will be interesting to see how his situation will unfold in G51.
Speaking on BBC’s 606 on 17 August, the Englishman said: “I do think he needs time. Rangers fans need to stick with him at this moment in time. Six games or whatever it is for Martin, that’s absolutely ridiculous for people to be calling for his head at this moment in time.”
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Champions League qualification a big financial boost for Martin
There have been serious questions about Martin at Ibrox during his initial days in charge, but qualification to the group stage of the Champions League will undoubtedly be huge for them.
Having beaten the likes of Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in the qualifying rounds of the European competition, Brugge will arguably be a significantly tougher test for the Gers.
The Scottish manager has a financial incentive to beat the Belgian outfit, with the second leg taking place at the Jan Breydel Stadium on 27 August.
- Martin lost his first game in charge of the Gers against Plzen in the second leg.
- With three wins and three draws in seven games, fans are asking questions.
- Proceeding to the Champions League group stage may quell the noise around the manager.
Rangers may bank around 40million from the Champions League group stages, considering the participation fees and television rights.
The Gers could potentially use significant funds before Deadline Day to further strengthen their team if they beat Brugge.
Most players at the Glaswegian outfit arguably need to get used to Martin’s possession-based style of play, which will hopefully work wonders in G51.
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