Rangers bar has never been lower after alarming new Kevin Thelwell admission
Russell Martin is already under huge pressure at Rangers after a woeful start, but Kevin Thelwell appears unconcerned.
Rangers are yet to win in the Scottish Premiership, and have scored just one goal from open play in four league games so far.
Martin has incurred the wrath of the Rangers fanbase, who already want him replaced, with the former Southampton boss an unpopular appointment from the beginning.
Thelwell also joined Rangers as a new sporting director this year, but he is quickly causing concerns after some alarming comments about the dismal start he has overseen.
Kevin Thelwell makes shock Old Firm Rangers admission
Rangers finally kept a clean sheet under Martin in a dismal 0-0 Old Firm draw with Celtic, in which both sides delivered completely inept attacking displays.
It was one of the lowest-quality Old Firm clashes in recent years, and despite Rangers avoiding defeat, boos rang around Ibrox after the Celtic game, with many directed at Martin.
However, speaking to Rangers TV, Thelwell claimed that it was a good performance from Rangers, in an alarming assessment of a simply appalling 90 minutes.
“Well, first and foremost, I’d say that was a good performance,” Thelwell stated.
“I don’t necessarily think it was a great performance, but without question, that certainly was a performance that was heading in the right direction.
- Rangers failed to record a single shot on target against Celtic.
- Both sides recorded the lowest total expected goals (xG) in the league this season.
“What we need to do going forward is deliver the result in the first instance.
“I understand that a draw is not what we’re aiming for here.
“We need to win those games going forward. But what we did see is a lot of the values I think the fanbase would epitomise as being important for the team – honesty, hard work, respect, humility, aggression, intensity.”
Rangers’ standards need to be higher
Accepting and even praising a draw, and the woeful performance against Celtic, shows that Thelwell has it completely wrong.
Many have questioned Thelwell’s transfer decisions, with Youssef Chermiti a questionable signing for a big fee, and some may wonder if the director is out of his depth.
Thelwell has given his backing to Martin, who almost certainly will not last the season, and alarm bells will be ringing over his Old Firm verdict.
Rangers should never be happy about a home draw against Celtic, particularly given their struggles this season as well, and the standards simply have to be raised across the club if there is to be any improvement this season.
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