Barry Ferguson Addresses Talk of Russell Martin’s Future at Rangers
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has weighed in on speculation surrounding the future of current manager Russell Martin, after hearing suggestions from within the club about a potential sacking. Ferguson, a well-respected figure at Ibrox, made it clear that while pressure naturally comes with the job, talk of dismissing Martin so early is, in his view, premature and unhelpful.
Rumours have begun circulating in recent weeks, with some fans and commentators questioning whether Martin is the right man to lead Rangers forward. Ferguson acknowledged that he’s personally heard such conversations from individuals connected to the club, but stressed that managerial changes should not be made impulsively.
“I’ve been told directly by a few people at Rangers that there’s been chat about Martin’s position,” Ferguson revealed. “But that’s part and parcel of football at this level. When results don’t go your way, people start talking. That doesn’t mean the board should just pull the trigger.”
Martin, who took charge at Ibrox with a clear vision for rebuilding the squad and playing an attractive brand of football, has had mixed results so far this season. While there have been flashes of the style he promised, inconsistency in performances and key defeats have intensified scrutiny.
Ferguson, however, pointed out that stability is often the foundation of long-term success. He noted that constant managerial turnover can disrupt progress and set clubs back rather than move them forward. “You can’t keep chopping and changing every time you hit a bad patch,” Ferguson said. “You’ve got to give a manager the time to put his ideas in place. Martin’s not even been in the job a full season yet – it’s too soon to make such a call.”
The former midfielder also emphasised that the Rangers support, while entitled to demand success, must recognise the challenges facing the current boss. Injuries to key players, a busy fixture list, and the pressure of competing on multiple fronts have all played a part in the team’s inconsistency.
Ultimately, Ferguson believes the focus should shift from debating Martin’s job security to supporting him in delivering better results. “I’ve been in that dressing room; I know how tough it is when there’s outside noise. The best thing the club can do right now is back him, not undermine him.”
With the season still in progress and plenty of football to play, Ferguson’s message to the Rangers hierarchy and fans is clear – patience could be the key to turning the tide.