PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 12: Rangers Head Coach Russell Martin during a UEFA Champions League Third Round Qualifier, Second Leg, between Viktoria Plzen and Rangers at the Doosan Arena, on August 12, 2025, in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Barry Ferguson has pleaded with angry bears to get behind Russell Martin (otherwise he’ll back in charge).
There could hardly be a greater contrast in personality and football philosophy than switching from Bazball to the slow-motion possession game of te former Southampton boss.
Six games in there are no signs that the Revolution is underway with EPL star Max Aarons already looking mentally ruined as he makes way for the return of James Tavernier.
After one SPFL match Martin went public with his criticism of the players mentality but three matches later loyal bears were despairing at the heartless displays put in against Dundee and Viktoria Plzen.
There are no signs that things are about to get any better but acknowledging the fans revolt taking place after six matches Ferguson tells Daily Record readers:
But welcome to Rangers guys. It’s the greatest club in the world for a very good reason.
Because the demands placed upon anyone lucky enough to get inside the building are enormous. And that’s the way it should be. What all of them will be realising, the hard way right now, is that second best will never be acceptable.
It has been very acceptable for James Tavernier, he has been second best, at best in 27 competitions out of 30 and given a place in the Hall of Fame for it.
It was that way 30 years ago and it’ll be exactly the same in 30 years from now because this is a special club which is built on success.
It’s never going to change, so you have to get used to it.
I completely understand why some fans are already on the verge of pressing the panic button, even though Russell and his team are only two games into the new league campaign.
The majority of fans online want Martin sacked now. They didn’t want the vegan Buddhist to begin with, after six matches they are horrified at the style of play and results.
I’ve heard one or two people calling for his head already and, as crazy as that may seem, the manager shouldn’t make the mistake of taking any of it personally.
More than one or two Barry, much more than one or two. And it is very personal, the current manager is culturally the exact opposite to the vast majority of match attending fans.
Outside of media circles there is barely a bear anywhere stating the case for sticking with the bearded hipster who has brought trainers and a sweaty back-t-shirt to the dug-out of dignity.
The truth is he’s probably paying the price for years of underachievement which have taken a heavy toll.
The fans were already running out of patience long before his appointment, for the simple reason that they’ve had to suffer so many seasons of disappointment. And that’s not acceptable at Ibrox.
Ferguson adds:
It’s not fair or reasonable to hold Martin responsible for what has gone on at the club over the last decade or so.
That comes with the salary and the spin applied to a takeover from Andrew Cavenagh, most of it generated by the Daily Record.
Ferguson concludes with:
The new players may have been shocked by the reaction to the way the season has started but they have to learn quickly and to get used to the pressure that comes with wearing that jersey. They have to learn to relish it and to thrive on it. Most of all, though, they need to realise how lucky they are to be playing for a club which demands nothing but the very best of them.
That’s why Rangers is such a unique environment and why Russell wanted the job so badly in the first place.
It may not have been perfect over the past few weeks but, despite the obvious teething issues, there have been some very good signs mixed in there too – especially in the first leg performance and win against Viktoria Plzen.
It remains a work in progress for the time being. It might not be an easy life but, trust me, if these guys get it together the way the manager wants, then they’ll never have had it so good.
If it is still 0-0 tomorrow after 15 minutes against Alloa Ferguson should try telling his fellow fans to calm down and get behind their new age manager.
Billy Dodds and Neil McCann may have to put their media work on hold for a few months, again.
How do you rate Celtic's transfer business
OUTSTANDING- exactly what the team needed
ON HOLD- They'll come good by September 1
HORRENDOUS- Looking as bad as 2023
Wee Baz is a rat of the highest order.
Any defence he has of RM will lack integrity of any kind.
He will be laughing up his sleeve at the shenanigans.
And despite what he said when shown the door…he would be like the proverbial rat up a drainpipe should the “Bazphone” light up.
“A club built on success”. “It was that way thirty years ago”? WTF are you on, Barry??!! The club you are talking about didn’t exist 30 years ago, you moonhowling muppet!!! It has won three top tier trophies in its 13 years of existence, much of which was spent coming up through the lower divisions. That’s not exactly Real Madrid level success, is it? It’s roughly on a par with St Johnstone (no offence to a proper club like them) – despite having a far bigger budget than them, as well as onfield help from refs, constant handouts from your board and no attempt to apply anything resembling financial stability rules by the authorities running the show here.
I’m the Buddha, so that’s what you call me. Everybody round here is very unfriendly. Why don’t those stupid bears knock it off with them negative boos? That’s just, like, your opinion, man, definitely an antisocial type.
Have a little faith, unbeautiful out of shape people! Why don’t you dig how great my hairstyle is? See what sending out them negative waves did against Motherwell and Dundee. Look, bears, I’m kinda hung up, you ain’t helping. Have some positivity like knowledgeable failed Barry e understands.
It’s not even that I got to suffer with the collar and tie establishment, I also have the negative press to contend with too. The DR would be advised to accentuate the positive or other revelations might get out, like my statements that there’s been no £20m bids for Raskin or anyone else and Dessers was the only dud to have attracted a low bid during the transfer window. I’m sure that further press retractions wont be necessary.
There’s bear rage out here, so quit with the negativity, man. You fink I don’t mind? I do mind, the Buddha minds. This will not stand, ya know, this aggression will not stand. Why don’t you write somefing righteous and hopeful for a change about the Buddha?
As all you overwhelmed people know, I’m not always perfect so obviously it’s the mentality and the egotistical character of the players that’s at fault. The bears keep complaining that I never listen to them … or something like that but the last thing I want is failure at this club, so stay with me to the end.
My peaceful message to supporters is, you’re entering a world of pain, am I wrong? Booing, yeah, well, I know it comes from a place of love and care, I know what you’re trying to say, yeah. Look at defeat as being on the path to enlightenment, so just shut the fk up, freaks and deal with it! The Buddha abides.
You can tell that the FUD longs for the day when types like … the other Ferguson / Goram / Brown / Cooper/ Durrant / and other assorted staunch bears are back wearing the jersey…Too many guys blessing themselves.
A fuckin notorious liar (The best club in the world) mouthing off in The biggest pathological print Scummy in Scotland…
What a marriage made in hell that is !