Barry Ferguson hits back at Brendan Rodgers after Rangers and Russell Martin claim
Barry Ferguson is a Rangers fan first and foremost and has every right to be critical of Russell Martin.
The former Southampton boss has won just four of his 13 games in charge at the Gers, with supporters vociferously calling for a change in the dugout.
Andrew Cavenagh is backing Martin for now, but it remains to be seen how long the Scottish manager will be able to survive in G51.
Ferguson understands the pressure of managing at Ibrox and has empathised with what the ex-Saints boss might be going through as the situation at the Glaswegian outfit turns vitriolic.
Brendan Rodgers deflects with Barry Ferguson jibe at Rangers
Ferguson was “surprised” to see Brendan Rodgers seemingly take aim at him and his interim backroom staff at the Gers when asked about Martin’s circumstances in G51.
The Celtic manager has been accused of deflecting from his own issues at Parkhead and trying to turn the attention towards Ibrox.
Ferguson feels the Northern Irishman’s comments regarding the previous management at the Gers in his defence of the former Southampton boss.
The Gers icon wrote in the Daily Record on 24 September: “When Brendan Rodgers was critical of me and my staff the other day, I must admit I was surprised to hear what was said.
“He was asked if he had sympathy for Martin and, in his answer, somehow ended up talking about comments made by the guys who were in his shoes previously. I couldn’t see any reason for it. It just felt a bit odd coming from a man of his experience. It felt very much like a deflection tactic.”
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Russell Martin fights for his job at Ibrox against Genk
Martin’s sacking at Ibrox feels inevitable considering fans have had enough of him after the Light Blues’ worst start to the league campaign in 47 years.
The Scottish manager has failed to implement his ideas and style of play at the Glaswegian outfit, leading to several disjointed performances.
While the new American owners will arguably want to give the 39-year-old head coach time to stabilise the ship in G51, his situation became untenable after losing embarrassingly to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off.
- Martin has a 30 per cent win rate at the Gers.
- The Light Blues are 11th in the league table.
- The Glaswegian outfit have conceded 19 goals this season.
With Martin struggling, Ferguson has been linked with a return to Rangers, and a lot of fans would undoubtedly welcome that prospect.
The former midfielder, who won the Scottish top flight five times with the Gers, and his backroom staff consisting of Billy Dodds, Neil McCann and Allan McGregor, were able to unite supporters in G51 during his interim stint last season.
What the future holds at Ibrox will be interesting to see as Martin fights for his job against Genk in the Europa League on 25 September.
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