49ers finally admit Russell Martin was a mistake | OneFootball

When the new owners assumed control of Rangers earlier this summer, they talked boldly: trophies in Scotland, competitiveness in Europe, a return to ambition. But now, just a few months in, that messaging is colliding head-on with reality. In a surprisingly candid statement today, the board accepted that their vision has not been matched by results — and pledged a course correction to win back trust.

The statement began with purpose: “We shared what we want to build for Rangers — to win trophies in Scotland and be able to compete at a high level in Europe. … We know achieving these goals will take time.” But it quickly pivoted to admission. “Our performances and results have not been good enough. … We did not get this right, and it’s our responsibility to fix it and get us back on track.” The language was firm, personal — an ownership willing to place blame on itself.

Analysts and fans will tell you that statements like this are expected in a crisis, but the depth of accountability suggested here is relatively rare. By acknowledging that they themselves “did not get this right,” the hierarchy is trying to invert the usual blame flow — instead of shielding leadership, they’re stepping directly into the line of fire.

In substance, the message does what a crisis statement must: it recognizes the fan anger, accepts failure, and pledges action. The reference to frustration — “we know you are frustrated — we are too” — is designed to connect with supporters, to signal empathy. It’s a rhetorical bridge: “we stand here with you, hurt by the same outcomes.” And that is key: underperformance at Rangers doesn’t just bruise pride — it fractures the base of loyalty and legitimacy.

But the proof will lie in what comes next. The statement leaves room for change — reviewing squad, recruitment, coaching, transparency. Yet it is vague on specifics. What mechanisms will be set up? Which areas are priority? Will there be swift replacements, or incremental fixes? A lot depends on the urgency with which they treat this “responsibility.”

For fans, the real test is whether this turns into meaningful movement — not just another ownership pledge. The good thing is, this statement resets expectations: it’s no longer enough to promise ambition. They have admitted falling short; now they need to show how and when they will deliver.

In the volatile world of modern football, statements like these often evaporate under performance pressure. But as ownership attempts to re-anchor trust, the tone they’ve chosen is more raw, more direct, less shielded. Whether that holds up will depend on results. If the next few weeks show more of the same, the sympathy will vanish. If they begin to win — tangibly, convincingly — today’s admission may go down as the turning point.