Joe Rothwell appears to take dig at Rangers boss Russell Martin | OneFootball

When a Rangers manager fails and loses his job, inevitably his-now former players start to offer little jabs in the media about him. Joe Rothwell’s dig at Russell Martin seems to be an exception.

In fairness, curiously, Philippe Clement has managed to mostly avoid this, but Michael Beale certainly got it thick.

Rare

However, it is certainly rare for those players to take jabs while the manager remains current.

That is exactly what Joe Rothwell has done, in offering a silent protest against Russell Martin.

Rothwell has been an utter disaster of a signing. Aith anonymous performances and looking lost, and he is now claiming, indirectly, that it’s the coach’s fault.

How?

Social media

Rothwell took to social media to ‘like’ a post on Open Goal where former Blackburn team mate Barry Douglas, whose own view is debatable, alleged Rangers’ midfielder is being played out of position.

In other words the Kirk Broadfoot lookalike endorsed a post. A post which took a dig at how Russell Martin is managing him, which is certainly not going to endear him to the coach.

Rothwell has looked lost – but we’re not entirely sure we’d agree with Douglas’ assertion that Rothwell ‘is the best in the world’ with the ball at his feel. Messyrs Ronaldo and Messi might make a case there.

An 8

He claimed Rothwell is more of an 8, an attacking midfielder who roams forward Gazza-style. And he is all about composure and thinking ahead, rather than the 6 he’s being played at.

Curious thing is Rothwell has always played as a CM, as opposed to the 8, but we suppose it doesn’t really matter.

The fact is he’s been rotten at Rangers (which Ibrox Noise predicted long before he ever signed) and he’s endorsing Douglas’ excuse for it.

Which ultimately takes a jab at Martin. Joe Rothwell’s dig at Russell Martin is unexpected.