'I’m gutted for him' - Fresh Southampton reaction given to big Rangers, Russell Martin update | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on Russell Martin's departure from Rangers

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin has been dismissed from his latest role at Scottish giants Rangers.

The 39-year-old took on his first role since leaving St. Mary’s when he was appointed at Ibrox last summer.

But he oversaw just 17 games since taking charge of the Glasgow outfit before being relieved of duties after a difficult start to the season.

A 1-1 draw with Falkirk on Sunday was enough to end his reign at Rangers, with the team sitting a very underwhelming eighth in the table.

Martin’s team won just one of their opening seven fixtures in the opening weeks of the season, leaving them 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts and nine behind rivals Celtic.

Russell Martin sympathy after Ranges axe

When asked about Martin’s sacking, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders expressed his sympathy for the coach who delivered his favourite season following the Saints.

He revealed his surprise at the manager’s struggles, claiming that he felt Martin could’ve succeeded in Scotland based on his time at St. Mary’s.

“I’m gutted for him actually because he gave me one of the best days in my Saints life, one of the best seasons as a Saints fan, if I’m honest,” Sanders told Football League World.

“If I look back over the years supporting Saints, it was my favourite ever season.

"We played some great stuff under Martin, and it was a brilliant, brilliant time.

“Look, it didn’t work out in the Premier League and it wasn’t all his fault, a lot of it was, but he didn’t have the players he needed.

“I thought he would’ve done alright in Scotland, I got to be honest, but they didn’t like him from the start, they were on his back.”

Sanders has compared the situation with Martin to when Nathan Jones was in charge at Southampton, and feels he could still make a good manager at a Championship level: “Felt a bit like Nathan Jones when he was the Southampton manager, the fans hated him from the get go.

“It’s very difficult when people take such a vendetta against somebody so early, makes an uphill battle.

“I think he’ll make a great Championship manager somewhere, and will be interesting to see if he jumps back in sooner rather than later.

“I’ll be intrigued.

“I wish him all the best because I think, genuinely, whenever I met him he was a decent guy.”

Will Still is now in charge at Southampton, and he is under some pressure after a disappointing start to the new campaign.

The Saints have earned just 11 points from their opening nine fixtures, leaving them 17th in the Championship going into the October international break.

Next up for the Saints is a home clash against another one of Martin’s former sides Swansea City on 18 October.

Russell Martin’s availability could interest Southampton

If Still doesn’t turn things around quickly, then perhaps the availability of Martin could interest Southampton.

Jason Wilcox seemed to have a strong relationship with the 39-year-old, and he is now at Manchester United, so the appetite for a reunion might not be there in the way many might expect.

But he has proven himself at this level by guiding the Saints to promotion in 2024 through the play-offs, and he knows this division well.

Alan Sheehan is also under some pressure at Swansea, so a return there could also be an interesting option, if he is open to it.