Russell Martin has thanked the Rangers fans who called for him to be sacked at a mass protest outside Ibrox before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Hibernian for their backing during a vital 2-0 win.
Around 1,500 of the Glasgow club’s followers gathered on Edmiston Drive before the last eight tie to voice their displeasure about Martin’s performance as manager and Patrick Stewart’s track record as chief executive.
Martin, whose team dropped to 11th place in the William Hill Premiership before kick-off when Dundee beat Livingston at Dens Park, admitted that he could hear the demonstration in the home dressing room.
But the former Scotland internationalist oversaw a 2-0 triumph thanks to first half Nicolas Raskin and Bojan Miovski goals and was pleased when his team was cheered off the park following the final whistle.
Read more:
- How Russell Martin turned boos into cheers and earned a Rangers stay of execution
- We don't want World War 3: Ayrshire braced for Auchinleck-Cumnock derby like no other
- The inconvenient truth 'Russell Martin out' rabble rousers are ignoring at Rangers
Asked about the protest, he said, “It was actually right during the team talk. But I said to the guys, ‘I can't control any of it’. I’ve had some family stuff to deal with this week that's been really difficult and that has put it into perspective for me. But we had control of the performance and we had control of the fans at the end of the game.
“I have to say, I thought the fans were brilliant. They made their feelings really clear and then once that was done, things started playing with a bit of flow. I think they were really good, really, really good. So I have to thank them for that.
“This football club becomes about one person really quickly. I think that’s probably the case at both clubs here. But it's just not, it's about so many people. It's become about me, but not by my choice. Now hopefully it will become more and more about the team if we put in performances like that.”
Martin added, “It was probably the performance I enjoyed the most. The team looked how we wanted it to look really. There is loads to improve and loads to build on. We could maybe have scored a couple more goals as the team grew in confidence. But I'm really proud of them.
“I'm really grateful to the players for how together they were this week, for their support. I think to do that in these circumstances is not easy so I'm really proud of them. We have a lot of young men finding their way, trying to grow into their career here. But they've been amazing this week and they took it onto the pitch.
“We had a bit of time to coach this week, a bit of time to actually work on some stuff that's going to be really important. It has been game, recover, game, recover. It's been so hurtful to us, not having time on the training pitch. But we have to adapt to that and get used to that. They were good today. Now I need to build off that.”
Belgian internationalist Raskin, who was dropped following a fallout with Martin, returned to the starting line-up and broke the deadlock. His manager is hopeful the midfielder can enjoy an extended run in his side.
“Nico was really, really good,” he said. “I think the position we played him in today, the role we gave him, helped him. Dio [Mohamed Diomande] helped him. The discipline Dio had was fantastic. But I thought Nico was outstanding.
“I think probably myself and Niko will feel similar - like it's disappointing it went on. But also maybe it's necessary for the whole culture of this football club, for the players to understand, for Niko to really grow.
“Contrary to popular belief, we have a good working relationship. He wants to play, he wants to win. He did some brilliant stuff today. But like everyone else, there'll be stuff he can improve on as well. But I'm proud of him today. He was fantastic.
“He has to use this, like so many of the players on the pitch today. Thelo [Aasgaard] had his best performance for sure, Jayden [Meghoma] was fantastic, Derek [Cornelius] coming into the team was great.
“You know exactly what you're getting with John [Souttar] and Tav [James Tavernier]. Tav's role was a bit different today, but it helped Mikey [Moore] so much. There's so many of them that have to use today as a springboard, as something to build from.”
Read more:
- Alan Irvine on Mr Queen's Park, Everton's 'top dog' and Scotland's 'fiery character'
- Celtic supporters unite as representative body formed to hold club to account
- Premier Sports Cup semi-final draw: When is it, can I watch & who is involved?
Andrew Cavenagh, the American healthcare tycoon who bought Rangers in conjunction with 49ers Enterprises during the summer, attended the fixture and Martin, who revealed Joe Rothwell had been ruled out by an injury, confirmed the Ibrox owner had been pleased with the performance.
“Yeah, I just saw him in my office then with Gretar [Steinsson], Patrick, Kevin [sporting director Thelwell] and Dan [Purdey],” he said. “Yeah, they're really happy. The team looked coached this week. I'll have to go back in to chat to them.”
