What Does Rangers’ Kieran Dowell Have on Russell Martin? | OneFootball

Rangers fans are once again failing to grasp why Kieran Dowell, anonymous and subpar, was included yet again in the starting XI v Panathaikos having been punted out on loan the past season because he falls well short of the standard needed.

Kieran Dowell’s selection and indeed recently-promoted ‘senior leader’ status is one of the most baffling things we’re seeing in an era of baffling at Ibrox, and doesn’t do any good for his manager who seems to be just including his pal.

We have no explanation as to anything Dowell offers, and his original addition by Michael Beale was purely as a deputy and backup for Todd Cantwell.

He’s never delivered much as a Rangers player yet there he was in the starting XI yet again. And as usual Kieran Dowell’s selection was little more than a bystander.

What Rangers fans saw against Panathinaikos was the same story on repeat. Dowell drifted through the match, making no real contribution either going forward or tracking back. In a game where players needed to show hunger and urgency, he looked like a man stuck in pre-season gear, unsure of his role and offering nothing to help the team.

Supporters are running out of patience. When others fight for their chance in the squad, Dowell’s continued involvement feels like favouritism rather than merit. It sets a poor precedent and sends the wrong message to players and fans alike. If this is what qualifies for leadership at Ibrox now, it’s no wonder fans are exasperated.