Andrew Cavenagh at Rangers crossroad as Russell Martin dilemma emerges
Andrew Cavenagh witnessed Russell Martin lead Rangers to victory against Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday.
David Gray’s team travelled to Ibrox on 20 September, and the Gers have reached the semi-finals of the competition after beating the visitors 2-0.
Martin was under extreme pressure before the Hibernian fixture, with calls for his sacking growing among the fans in G51.
While the Glaswegian outfit’s hierarchy seem to be behind the Scottish manager for the time being, a massive dark cloud looms over them.
Rangers reputation on the line as Andrew Cavenagh makes Russell Martin decision
Cavenagh is in an unenviable position regarding a decision over Martin, Keith Jackson says.
The Daily Record journalist feels that the Gers’ chairman risks affecting his relationship with the Ibrox faithful if he sticks with the Scottish manager despite fans demanding a change in the dugout.
On the other hand, Jackson believes the American businessman may look like a “weak leader” if he caves to the demands of the supporters.
- The Gers ended their five-game winless run by beating Hibs.
- The Light Blues kept their fourth clean sheet of the season against Gray’s team.
- Martin now has four wins from 13 matches at the Glaswegian outfit.
The journalist wrote in the Daily Record on 22 September: “Either way, Cavenagh is most certainly at a crossroads and in the most unenviable of positions. What the chairman and owner does now might determine the terms of his relationship with the club’s supporters going forward.
“He would certainly win them over with the single stroke of a pen should he put a thick red line through Martin’s name before returning to the States later this week.
“Equally, it could also become a rod for his own back. If Cavenagh can be bullied into doing as he’s told, it might make him appear like a weak leader and one who can be easily manipulated when the herd turns.”
Read More: Bojan Miovski speaks on impact the fan protests had in win vs Hibs
Nicolas Raskin makes game-changing return at Ibrox
Martin finally started Nicolas Raskin against Hibernian, with the Belgium international getting on the scoresheet for the Light Blues after an in-swinging corner from James Tavernier.
The 24-year-old was left out of the Light Blues’ matchday squads that faced Celtic and Hearts in the last two William Hill Premiership fixtures, which the Scottish manager was unable to win.
While there must’ve been something massive that happened between Raskin and Martin at Ibrox that led to his exile, it’s encouraging to see that the two may have settled their differences for the betterment of the team.
Rangers now have a crunch Europa League fixture against Genk at home on 25 September, and it would certainly be a no-brainer for the former Southampton boss to rely on the Belgian midfielder’s heroics again.
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