Rangers’ new head coach Russell Martin unleashed a fiery critique of his team’s performance and attitude after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Motherwell on August 2, 2025, at Fir Park.
The match, the opening day of the Scottish Premiership, saw James Tavernier score for Rangers, only for Emmanuel Longelo to equalize late, leaving fans booing. Martin didn’t hold back, urging some players to “drop their ego” and fix their mentality, sparking heated debates across Europe.
Match Highlights and Struggle
Rangers took the lead in the first half with Tavernier’s header, dominating early. However, Motherwell fought back in the second half, showing more aggression.
Longelo’s late strike leveled the score, marking the third straight season Rangers failed to win their opening league game. Martin called the draw “lucky,” admitting Motherwell outplayed his team.
Stats show Motherwell had 2.21 expected goals to Rangers’ 0.7, with five big chances compared to Rangers’ one.
Martin’s Strong Words
After the match, Martin expressed his frustration to BBC Sport and Sky Sports. “We were nowhere near where we need to be,” he said. “Motherwell were braver and more aggressive.
Some players need to drop their ego—when you just jog around, that’s a big problem.” He highlighted a “mentality issue,” not a tactical one, and criticized players for self-preservation when the game turned tough.
Martin didn’t name specific players but substituted Mohamed Diomande and Danilo, praising replacements Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers.
Fans and pundits reacted strongly. Chris Sutton called Martin’s comments “extreme” and suggested he sees the squad as “rank rotten.” Kris Boyd agreed but noted the early timing of the outburst raised concerns.
Fan Reaction and Next Steps
The draw left Rangers supporters disappointed, with boos ringing out at full-time. On X, fans shared mixed views, with one writing, “Martin’s right to call out the ego, but first game?”.
Others defended the team, citing a tough Champions League schedule. Rangers face Viktoria Plzen next on August 5, 2025, in a crucial Champions League qualifier.
Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou praised his team’s bravery, while Elliot Watt called it a “terrific performance.” Rangers’ next league match is against St Mirren on August 9, 2025, giving Martin time to address the issues.
What This Means for Rangers
Martin’s bold approach signals a shift at Ibrox. With only 270 minutes as coach, his early criticism aims to shake up a squad that dropped 34 points last season. The club’s new ownership and European ambitions add pressure. Fans hope this wake-up call boosts performance, but some worry it could deepen team divides.
Stay tuned as Rangers tackle their challenging season ahead!