'He always knew': 28-cap Scotland international lifts lid on Russell Martin conversation after Rangers sacking
Russell Martin’s former teammate reveals he had reached out to former Rangers boss following his sacking.
Russell Martin’s bitter Rangers exit was tough to witness, according to ex-Scotland teammate Robert Snodgrass, who admits he reached out to support him in the aftermath of his sacking.
The former Southampton boss was appointed as head coach at Rangers in the summer, but lasted just 123 days in the job after a 1-1 draw with Falkirk left him with just one win in his opening seven league games, sealing their worst start to a league season since 1978.
With the relationship between Martin and the Rangers fanbase clearly broken, he was spotted receiving a police escort in the aftermath of the stalemate at Falkirk Stadium, as a section of the club’s supporters were said to be blocking the team bus in order to vent their frustration at the boss, before he was sacked just hours later.
Subsequently replaced by Danny Rohl in the weeks that followed, the German boss has already won more games than his predecessor after beating Kilmarnock and Hibs in his first two league games. A former teammate of Martin during the pair’s playing days at Norwich City, 28-cap Scotland international Snodgrass revealed he’d spoken to the 39-year-old ex-Rangers boss both before and after his difficult departure from Ibrox in October.
"I would check in with him every now and again to see how he was getting on,” said Snodgrass, who retired from playing after a short stint with Hearts. “Obviously, he felt he could lift what is a monster club and, you know, get them to win, win, win, win. Sadly, Russell wasn't doing that, and, from speaking to him, he always knew that would come under criticism, but he was always told that he would get the time to do that.
"I think it was ferocious, the way it all took place, the fans waiting for him outside. It's never nice for anybody to see that. It can't have been easy for Russell, being away from his family at times, to go through all that. I know he went up there with every belief that he could achieve success, and he wanted to do well for Rangers. Of course, he did, but some things just don't work out.
“Speaking to Russell after, he's always sort of been fond of the club. He's played there as a player, he's managed the club, and he's got a great feeling for the club. I think it's best when it's like that, just to part ways.”
While he was left dismayed by the animosity surrounding the exit of his former teammate, he believes his replacement is exactly what Rangers need at this current teammate, and revealed why - even in defeat - he was buoyed by the team’s performance in the 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic last Sunday.
"It's been a good start,” said Snodgrass. “His team did really well in the Old Firm on Sunday. What I was really happy with was the fact that they went on the front foot when they were down to 10 men. He allowed them to attack with 10 men. That's the sign of a manager who will build off playing forwards and trying to win games. He has a good CV in terms of wanting to try and play a certain way. But again, it's a club that is built on winning. He will feel exactly what Russell Martin felt. You need to win. You need to get off to the right start by winning games.
"How they can actually defend is by attacking and pushing teams back, going on to score three, four, five, but also having a really good, solid base. It's exactly what Arsenal are doing this season. That's what Celtic and Rangers have done for years. You'll start to see Rangers really pushing forward because Sunday was a great spectacle again for Scottish football. Everybody's nerves were shattered towards the end, so it was exceptional."
Robert Snodgrass was speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football betting.
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