# Time to Face Facts: The Russell Martin Era Must End At Glasgow Rangers
I think we’d all agree that Russell Martin’s tenure has probably run its course. While he wasn’t my first choice for the job, I backed him once he was appointed and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt over recent weeks.
However, result after result shows no sign of improvement – in fact, things are getting progressively worse, as last night’s humiliation highlighted. The team doesn’t look properly set up, we’re not getting the basics right, and tactically we appear uncoached. There’s a palpable lack of confidence on the pitch, and I’m not sure we have many leaders in that squad who truly embody what it means to be a Ranger. To be honest, this looks like a team without a manager – lower league sides coming to Ibrox are better organised, coached, and disciplined than us.
It’s worth noting that without Jack Butland in goal this year, things could have been even worse. While I know his limitations with distribution, I think we can all agree his shot-stopping has saved us from further humiliation and embarrassment this season – and we’re only ten games in!
So where do we go from here? We could wait until next week, but I think we all know what’s likely coming on Sunday. One of the most frustrating aspects is that this Celtic team looks equally in disarray due to lack of investment and a fairly average squad – they’re there for the taking if only we had our act together!
For the rest of the season to have any chance of success, we need to go back to basics. It’s as bad as I’ve seen it in recent years, and I think we need to look closer to home for Russell Martin’s replacement – at least in the short term. We need to rebuild confidence and discipline for domestic performances, with the Europa League being a sideshow (albeit a lucrative one) .
For me – and I know there’ll be howls of derision – unless we could secure someone like Marcus Rose (who’s still without a club), I don’t think we should rule out a temporary or caretaker manager from within the SPFL, such as Steven Robinson, to bring stability and order until we find a permanent appointment. Or perhaps the caretaker might surprise us and dramatically improve our performances.
For those who’ll disagree (and we’re all bound by our common love for the club), I actually think it can get much worse. Last night’s performance was utterly humiliating – like watching amateurs against professionals. As Ally put it perfectly: men against boys. There were no discernible tactics (or at least no coherent ones), confidence has evaporated, and there’s clearly disharmony in the dressing room.
At what point – if we persist with Martin – do we start to seriously damage the club’s foundations for years to come?