Rod Stewart pushes different Scottish Premiership narrative for Rangers after Russell Martin letdown
Sir Rod Stewart believes that Russell Martin is one of the main reasons for the Scottish Premiership ending the way it did, with Rangers bowing out in a sorry ending.
The Bears were playing catch-up just a few weeks into the season, and the 49ers may have made the decision to sack Martin a little too late.
Along came Danny Rohl who started with a loss in Europe before going on a strong push in the league, putting Gers firmly in the title picture.
Celtic also endured a tough period with Wilfried Nancy, but the ex-Hoops boss and Martin together may have both contributed to the dramatic final day scenes.
At least that’s what Stewart thinks, as Rohl could have led Rangers to the title, had he been in charge from minute one.
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Sir Rod Stewart suggests Rangers and Celtic will come stronger next season
Rangers were in dreamland with Nancy’s failure at Celtic, especially after being tormented about Martin’s sorry tenure in Glasgow.
Despite a clear, impressive run under Rohl, the Rangers boss has come under fire for failing to win in games where it’s mattered the most.
| Stats | Russell Martin | Danny Rohl |
| Win percentage | 29% | 55% |
| Points per game | 1.2 | 1.8 |
While speaking on talkSPORT this Monday, Stewart was ecstatic about Celtic’s title triumph, but also said things may have been different had it not been for Nancy, and more importantly, Martin.
Stewart said: “I have to say, both Rangers and Celtic, because of Russell Martin and Wilfried Nancy, they dropped so many points. I think if those two hadn’t come along, it would have been a different story.
“No disrespect to Hearts, but we’ll see next year.”
He was suggesting that Hearts may have their work cut out for them next season, especially given that Rohl will have a full pre-season and window of backing from the 49ers in the summer.
The Bears want to have a big squad overhaul this summer, as chairman Andrew Cavenagh has admitted the squad is good, but there’s a need to improve chemistry, mindset, and overall quality.
How many points would Rangers have if Rohl was in from the start?
Rohl managed 30 of the 38 league games in charge of the Bears, but it’s important to know that Martin won just one of those eight league matches as head coach before his dismissal.
Rangers’ best run of form came over the winter period, where they won six straight league games in a row, with a Scottish Cup win over Annan Athletic and a Europa League victory over Ludogorets Razgrad sandwiched in the middle.
Rohl won 19 games in the league, drew six, and lost five, which is a 2.1 points per game average. This projection over 38 games would see Gers finish on 79.8 points, which is still a lower tally than what Hearts and Celtic had this term.
It’s clear that improvements need to be made, because the data isn’t exactly in favour of the German head coach.
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