Russell Martin addresses the intense backlash he’s received from the Rangers faithful and has been told that some of it has gone too far.
The under-fire Ibrox boss was subjected to furious chants for his sacking – seconds after Max Aarons scored in stoppage to get the Light Blues’ first league win of the season.
Martin’s men have travelled to Austria to face Sturm Graz in their second Europa League game, as they look to try and make it two wins on the bounce.
In his pre match press conference before the clash, the 39-year-old spoke about what he finds ‘sad’ regarding the brutal criticism he’s endured:
“I walked straight down the tunnel on Sunday because I wanted the players to enjoy it.
“They deserved to enjoy it because they played really well in the first half especially.
“There is a narrative that it was late and Livingston were unlucky. But we deserved to win the game.
“So I wanted the players to enjoy it – then people can choose to turn their attention to me.
“I just wish at that point they could enjoy their team winning rather than that energy coming towards me.
“The only thing I find sad is when I see kids standing next to their dads and sticking their fingers up at me or swearing at me.
“I don’t feel particularly sad about that for me. I feel it’s more about that cycle going on.
“Look, I’m here and we’ve made mistakes.
“There’s been some tough moments, but we’re giving everything we’ve got to improve the club. As is Kevin (Thelwell), Patrick (Stewart) and the owners.
“When you have so much change – and it’s not an excuse – but I think it’s pretty evident it might take some time.
“So the criticism aimed at me is fine. I’ve actually had a lot of fans come up to me in the city telling me to ignore it.
“They feel it’s gone quite some way over the normal criticism.
“I’ve really appreciated that. I think they just want to see their team win. So we have to win games of football.
“Inside the building, the players and staff have been amazing. They’re so together.
“You saw that in the celebrations on Sunday with the doctor, the physios, the subs, the players who hadn’t even played.
“Nedim Bajrami jumped into the crowd and he only played 10 minutes. So I enjoyed that.”
