Rangers fans can’t believe new Southampton footage of Russell Martin | OneFootball

Footage has surfaced of Rangers manager Russell Martin that has pretty much sealed his fate with Rangers fans. The tide of opinion is now heavily against him as boss. Moreover, the footage in question dates back to his Premier League disaster with Southampton last season. Unsurprisingly, but also tellingly, the shock of reaction to this material has been stark. Ibrox Noise called out the repetition and tone as narcissistic and identical to the Ibrox style. Therefore, Russell Martin Southampton footage repeats Rangers.

Clip

Fundamentally, the clip shows Martin giving a post-match interview after yet another defeat for the Saints. What jarred with supporters was how his comments were almost word for word the same as the ones he has delivered at Ibrox. Furthermore, the same clichés, the same tone, the same disappointment were all there. He spoke of being hurt, he threw his players under the bus, and he made it about himself. As a result, it was a carbon copy of what Rangers fans have heard repeatedly in Glasgow. Ibrox Noise highlighted this as a shocking carbon copy of tactics and phrasing.

For many, this was eye-opening. To see Martin roll out an identikit interview for two separate clubs underlines a worrying pattern. Moreover, it showed that he does this every time things go wrong. Instead of accepting responsibility, he makes it all about himself and insists on highlighting his own feelings. That “I’m hurt” line is the perfect example. Consequently, Ibrox Noise laid bare how this pattern repeats and creates division.

Focus

By shifting the focus onto himself, Martin avoids accountability. Instead, he distances himself from failure by blaming the players, despite the fact he sets them up to fail in the first place. This is not leadership. Rather, it is self-preservation dressed up as honesty. In addition, his words echo James Tavernier’s repeated reliance on disappointment as a go-to soundbite. Both men use it as a shield rather than a solution. The Scotsman also underlined how his behaviour has weakened Rangers’ negotiating position.

The conclusion is obvious. Martin has a track record of repeating the same empty comments whenever the pressure mounts. Moreover, he absolves himself while making sure the spotlight shines on his own feelings. That is not the mark of a strong Rangers manager. Instead, it is the mark of a man who cannot shoulder responsibility.

Rangers fans already knew Martin was a disaster in the dugout. However, this footage from his Southampton days only reaffirms the point. It proves that what we are seeing at Ibrox is not new. On the contrary, it is the same old pattern, recycled excuses and familiar failings. Russell Martin Southampton footage repeats Rangers. And it is why his time as Rangers boss looks finished.