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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
David Irvine

Russell Martin's final Rangers interview in full before being sacked

Russell Martin branded the draw against Falkirk as "hurtful and frustrating for everyone" in his final interview as Rangers manager.

The former Southampton boss was relieved of his duties on Sunday night, just hours after the 1-1 draw.

Matt Gill and Mike Williamson also leave Rangers with Martin after club chiefs made the decision to sack the manager.

Before the decision was taken, Martin had carried out post-match interviews with broadcasters and the media on Sunday evening.

He then spoke to Rangers TV in what would be his final appearance as the Rangers manager.

On the result, he said: "I'm frustrated. We weathered the storm early on. Difficult pitch, difficult conditions which we spoke about - we're going to have to really battle and fight, and we did that.

"We defended the box well and then got a hold on the game as the half developed, scored a really brilliant team goal and then, actually, the longer the game went on I felt we had more control.

"We got so many touches in their box without executing the final pass, it was a bit frustrating because you want that second goal.

"And they were becoming less of a threat as the game went on, and then we have a moment where we don't compete quite properly, we don't adapt to it and adjust, and he's hit one from a long way out, and it has taken a deflection and gone in.

"It's just how it seems to be going at the moment for us.

"And then the game became open because we are trying to get the winner again when we should have been building on a 1-0 lead, and we can't quite get it."

Martin continued: "It is so hurtful and frustrating for everyone, the players, for us, the supporters, so we have to look at it and really take responsibility for it myself and see where we could have helped the team go on and get another goal because I don't think we are ever going to sit back and defend a 1-0 early on in the game.

"So we have to find ways to be better in the final third than we were."


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Rangers now head into the international break with no manager. The interim coaching team has yet to be confirmed by the club.

Martin had stated the domestic break would have been an opportunity for players less involved to be pushed in training and to "understand why and how we need to be better".

"It's time for work, especially for the guys who haven't played so much," he said.

"There are a lot of guys who go away on international who came back in with good energy after the last break because they done very well.

"We have to work really hard the guys who are here, and wait for the other guys to come back, and then get to work and understand why and how we need to be better."

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