Billy Dodds says one Rangers star ‘must be gutted’ at key Russell Martin decision
Russell Martin has taken some bold decisions at Rangers since being appointed manager.
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises have pulled off some decent business with incomings and outgoings at the Gers, but there’s still an air of pessimism in G51.
Martin’s future at Ibrox doesn’t seem safe as some fans have already had enough of the football the Light Blues are playing under the new management.
While the players have to take some responsibility for the Glaswegian outfit’s poor recent displays, one key star may have some questions for the Scottish manager.
James Tavernier won’t be happy about being dropped at Rangers
James Tavernier has started the last two games on the bench for the Gers as Martin has preferred Max Aarons at right-back.
The Bournemouth loanee hasn’t had the best of starts to his career at Ibrox, yet the ex-Southampton head coach has stuck by him.
Billy Dodds believes the Glaswegian outfit’s captain definitely “must be gutted” with his situation under the new management, and could potentially be asking questions about his absence from the starting lineup while Aarons struggles.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show on 20 August, the former Gers assistant manager said: “[Tavernier] must be gutted. I know he’s a good pro. I know he’ll be upset he’s not in the team. He gets judged by what he doesn’t do defensively.
“Aarons is a lot like him. I think he’s got to do better defensively from what I’ve seen so far. So Tavernier will probably be thinking well, I’m getting judged like that, why isn’t Aarons?”
Read More: Pat Nevin ‘astonished’ at footage he’s shown on BBC – ‘Never seen that before’
Max Aarons should be replaced by James Tavernier vs St Mirren
St Mirren will host the Gers at the SMISA Stadium on 24 August in the William Hill Premiership as Martin still looks for his first win in the league.
The Light Blues have failed to win their opening two games in the league for the first time in 35 years after drawing against Motherwell and Dundee.
Aarons’ performances haven’t warranted Martin’s trust, yet he’s being picked ahead of Tavernier in the starting lineup.
| Max Aarons (Champions League vs Club Brugge) | Statistics |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Successfull dribbles | 1/3 |
| Dispossessed | 2 |
| Tackles won | 0/1 |
| Ground duels won | 4/11 |
Rangers have some crucial fixtures coming up, and dropping further points domestically will undoubtedly only make matters worse for the 39-year-old head coach.
Jayden Meghoma was impressive on his Ibrox debut and should continue to keep his place at left-back, with the Gers captain returning to the right side of defence.
It’s time the Scottish manager starts taking drastic measures regarding some of the underperforming players, unless he wants to be further scrutinised in G51.
Sign up for the Ibrox News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Rangers news sent straight to your phone.