Russell Martin has finally done something fans will love as Rangers announcement made
Russell Martin is already incredibly unpopular at Rangers, and fans are calling for his dismissal after a woeful start to the season.
Rangers have suffered their worst start to a league season in 42 years, with zero wins from four Scottish Premiership games.
Rangers were also humiliated in the Champions League play-offs, and have dropped down to the Europa League as a result.
Martin’s tactics, selections and man management have all been criticised, but after three months of negativity, Rangers fans will be on board with his latest decision.
Three omissions as Rangers announce Europa League squad
Rangers have now confirmed their squad for the first phase of the Europa League, in which they will hope to qualify for the knockout rounds.
With a bloated squad, Kieran Dowell, Nedim Bajrami and Clinton Nsiala have all been omitted from the Europa League registration for the league phase.
All of the new signings this summer have been included, with deadline day arrivals Youssef Chermiti and Derek Cornelius in.
- Dowell started Rangers’ first three competitive games under Martin.
- The midfielder was booed when substituted on against Dundee.
Bajrami joined Rangers last year, but a move away failed to materialise, and he has now been excluded from the European fixtures, despite coming on against Celtic in the last game.
Rangers fans will be particularly happy about Dowell’s omission, with Martin causing controversy over the midfielder earlier on this summer.
- Read more: Nicolas Raskin to find common ground at Rangers as Russell Martin can’t do the unthinkable
Kieran Dowell out of Europa League squad, Nicolas Raskin in
One of Martin’s worst decisions so far has been his regular selection of Dowell, who returned from his loan spell at Birmingham City.
The 27-year-old was a surprise selection in some of Rangers’ opening games, and Dowell received boos from the Ibrox crowd after some dismal performances.
Nicolas Raskin’s future was in doubt after a reported fall-out with Martin, much to the fury of Rangers fans given his outstanding displays last season.
Rangers fans will now be happy with Martin though, as Dowell will not feature in the Europa League, while Raskin’s inclusion in the squad is a very positive sign.
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