Russell Martin stuns Rangers fans with major admission on Kieran Dowell

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Ibrox Noise

·02 de agosto de 2025

Russell Martin stuns Rangers fans with major admission on Kieran Dowell

Russell Martin has surprised many Rangers supporters by confirming his full backing for Kieran Dowell. Russell Martin backs Kieran Dowell and the midfielder’s attitude and ability but stated clearly that he wants Dowell at Rangers long term. Martin even went as far as describing him as one of the most important players in the squad. It is a stance that jars with how most fans view the player.

Dowell arrived with promise but never convinced supporters he could deliver consistently. Injury setbacks limited his appearances and when he did play he struggled to influence games. Many fans hoped the club would quietly move him on this summer. Instead Martin doubled down and placed public trust in the midfielder’s role at Ibrox.

Vídeos OneFootball

He said:

“He took the ball well for us, out of possession he pressed like a beast, he’s so reliable, set pieces, he did a big job for us tonight, defensively a big, big job, and he’s a really good footballer. We’ve come in with a clean slate and I hope people are seeing what he brings right now, it’s not his most natural position for sure, but he’s doing a brilliant job for us out there, and he’s been great since we’ve come in. As a person and a character and the way he trains, he’s been fantastic, and we’ll see what happens. There’s lots of players who maybe thought their future was going to be elsewhere, or maybe they thought it was going to be here, and things can change very, very quickly in football. So whilst he’s here we’ve been so happy with him, and I hope he’s part of our squad, I really do, but obviously things can change in football quickly, and I’m not sure what… I hope Kieran’s enjoying it, but you’d have to ask him, but he’s been really good for us.”

The boss has made it clear that Russell Martin backs Kieran Dowell and has the quality to make a difference. Martin views him as a leader in the dressing room and a player who understands his tactical instructions. He praised Dowell’s training levels and commitment behind the scenes. These are qualities that matter to Martin and shape his selection decisions.

That message will not go down well across the Rangers support. Dowell rarely showed the kind of form that matches the club’s ambitions. He lacks the pace or bite fans expect in a midfield player and his impact in big games has been minimal. For many fans the midfielder symbolises a period of weak recruitment and underwhelming performances.

Yet Martin’s comments suggest that Dowell remains central to his rebuild. The manager included him in several pre-season lineups and looks likely to keep doing so. This echoes across supporter discussion now: why is this player considered vital when his performances show otherwise?

Martin’s insistence on keeping Dowell adds pressure. If the player continues to underperform fans will turn on both of them. They already question the manager’s judgement in several areas and Dowell could become the focus of that discontent. Managers live and die by the players they back and Martin has made his choice clear.

The manager needs results quickly and must show that loyalty to Dowell brings tangible benefits. Otherwise the risk grows that his faith will look misplaced and damage confidence in his leadership. This club cannot afford passengers or sentimental decisions. Rangers must chase silverware with players who deliver now.

Martin believes Dowell fits that mould. Time will tell if that trust pays off or backfires. Either way the spotlight shines directly on both.