Rangers tactician accidentally proves Russell Martin’s failings | OneFootball

Ibrox Noise took a keen interest in a post on X from a Rangers fan named John Walker. He offered a tactical breakdown of what Russell Martin is trying to do at Rangers. His comments appeared to challenge former Rangers striker Andy Halliday and his views on the team’s tactics.

Halliday suggested that Martin is struggling and that his approach is not working. In contrast, Walker blamed the players more than the system. He argued that the tactics are in place, but the squad have not yet adapted. Therefore, he claimed they have not grasped the approach.

Walker also criticised certain player attributes. He noted mistakes in passing speed and decision-making. As a result, these flaws stop the system from working. According to him, it will take time for Rangers to implement Martin’s ideas.

Two major arguments undermine that position. The first is obvious. Rangers do not have time. This is not a project club. Managers cannot take a year to make their vision work. Success has to come instantly.

The second is more subtle yet more serious. Walker described how the players fail to execute the plan. Consequently, that shows one of the biggest managerial sins at Rangers. This is when a manager forces a system on players instead of adapting to their strengths. That issue has added pressure to a coach already breaking unwanted records.

You have to shape tactics to the tools you have. You cannot hammer with a screwdriver. Likewise, you cannot play out from the back if your centre-half is John Souttar. Yet Martin insists on doing exactly that.

He uses a style that relies on technical ability in defence. The problem is that some of his players cannot deliver it. Furthermore, that is where stubbornness and ego enter the picture. Martin may have a good system in theory. However, we saw little evidence of it at Southampton last season. We see even less at Ibrox, which is why he is already under major pressure for results.

The key role of management is to maximise what the players can do. You do not impose a structure they cannot execute. Many managers fail because they refuse to adapt. As a result, they lack the right tools but still force their preferred style. It always fails.

If Walker is right, Martin’s refusal to adapt will ensure he fails at Rangers. Therefore, we hope Walker’s assessment is off the mark. This team do not have the time and they do not have the players for Martin’s plan. Worryingly, he signed half of them himself, and as The Guardian noted, he has already publicly criticised them.