Troy Deeney Critiques Russell Martin’s Leadership at Rangers

Troy Deeney, the former Premier League striker, has publicly criticized Russell Martin’s management style at Rangers, suggesting that his “personal” comments are jeopardizing team morale. The club is currently facing a tumultuous season, sitting in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership, despite recently securing a narrow victory against Livingston on September 24, 2023.

In the aftermath of the win over Livingston, Martin portrayed the team’s performance as a step towards progress, stating they were “building something” and praised the players’ efforts. However, just days later, following a disappointing defeat to Strum Graz in the Europa League, he shifted his tone, raising doubts about the players’ mentality.

Deeney, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed confusion over Martin’s inconsistent messaging. He noted, “In the last minute he nicked it against Livingston 2-1 and he said ‘we are building something here, the lads kept going to the end’, and now you are questioning their mentality four days later.” This inconsistency, according to Deeney, may lead to a loss of trust both from the players and the fans.

The former striker emphasized that such contradictions can create a rift in the dressing room. He remarked, “As a player I start to go ‘well, which one is it?’ And as a fan I would be going ‘hold on, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt because you said we were building and I’m with you, and now you are shifting all the blame onto the players.'”

Deeney further elaborated on the precarious situation facing Martin and the club. “I think he is losing the Rangers fans by the second,” he warned. He pointed out that Rangers, historically a strong team, is not currently performing at a level that meets the expectations of supporters. “I don’t think this is a great Rangers team. I don’t think there are great players in there that if you offered them out to everybody now, they would all be picked up at a level they probably think they should be.”

Deeney’s comments reflect a growing frustration among fans regarding the team’s direction. He noted that the squad needs to unify under the manager’s leadership, stating, “Where you are right now, they need to galvanise, get together, and a manager in this position needs to be pulling them all in.”

He also drew comparisons with other managerial situations, suggesting that Martin may not be the right fit for Rangers. “Potter didn’t suit West Ham, I don’t think Martin suits Rangers. It’s just what the fanbase requires. I don’t think he’s that person,” Deeney concluded.

As Rangers navigate this challenging period, the club’s leadership and communication strategies will be under close scrutiny, with both fans and players eager for clarity and direction.