Russell Martin: Rangers boss takes squad wild swimming in team-bonding journey after winless begin to Scottish Premiership season | Soccer News

Under-pressure Rangers boss Russell Martin took his gamers wild swimming on Monday, as a part of a team-bonding train.

The squad went to Loch Lomond, earlier than a hike up Conic Hill, because the Ibrox head coach determined to let his gamers swap their boots for trunks.

It is known the train was to offer his new-look squad with a change of surroundings and permit gamers to reset after a tricky begin to the season.

It is sink or swim time for Martin, after Saturday’s defeat at dwelling to Hearts left Rangers winless following their opening 5 Scottish Premiership matches, and tenth within the desk, making this the membership’s worst begin to a season in 47 years.

Rangers have been additionally dumped out of the Champions League after dropping their play-off tie 9-1 to Club Brugge.

He shall be within the dugout on Saturday when Rangers tackle Hibernian at Ibrox of their League Cup quarter-final.

However, when Rangers return to league motion the next Sunday at Livingston, they might be backside of the desk, with that match reside on Sky Sports.

Martin: I cannot stop Gers job

Criticism from Rangers followers in the direction of Martin has grown in latest weeks, with massive sections of the Ibrox help calling for his sacking.

A banner had been left outdoors Ibrox after their hammering in Belgium, whereas extra have been outdoors the stadium earlier than their 0-0 draw with Celtic earlier than the worldwide break.

Rangers followers then continued to name for Martin to be sacked throughout Saturday’s loss in opposition to Hearts, with some at instances even becoming a member of in with the visiting help who chanted ‘sacked within the morning’.

However, Sky Sports News reported on Sunday that Martin retains the backing of the membership’s board and talking after that defeat, he insisted he wouldn’t stop – regardless of rising strain.

“You have to fight to get here in the first place, and we’ll keep fighting until we’re told not to,” Martin mentioned.

“I do not assume I’ve ever walked away from something in my life.

“I knew coming here wouldn’t be easy. The majority didn’t want me here in the first place, which is fine, so then you have to try and change that around with results.

“At the minute all they see is the 90 minutes on the finish of the week, so I perceive the frustration, I’m as annoyed as anybody in the intervening time however we’ll be right here and we’ll work till I’m informed to not. It actually is that easy.”

Boyd: Terrible, embarrassing, no method again

Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd watched the defeat to Hearts at Ibrox and doesn’t assume Martin might be backed for for much longer if outcomes proceed.

“You can cut new managers some slack if you can see a slight improvement game to game, but it’s actually going the other way. It’s getting worse for Rangers,” he mentioned.

“No wins in five, sitting 10th in the league, and it’s pretty embarrassing, to say the least.

“Loads of them did not need Russell Martin within the first place.

“I think you need to allow a new manager to come in and at least bed in his ideas, but if there’s no sign of improvement, it’s not going to happen and looking at it right now, there’s only one thing going to happen.

“I don’t know if the Rangers hierarchy were at the game today, but once the fans turn, it’s virtually impossible to get them back round. They’ve had enough. A lot of them left their seats early and no wonder, because if I was paying to watch that, I’d have been away as well.

“There’s little question that gamers should shoulder some duty, they’re those as soon as throughout the white line, however they appear devoid of concepts. They’ve signed [Bojan] Miovski, who, while you return to his time at Aberdeen, appeared like scoring each time that Aberdeen performed a sport. I believe he had in all probability two touches of the ball at present.

“I think it was six new signings in the starting line-up, chopping and changing. Russell Martin doesn’t know his strongest XI right now.

“There’s been loads of change. If you may see a slight enchancment, you’d possibly stick by it, however proper now it is the whole reverse. Players simply look far and wide.”

Rangers’ upcoming fixtures

• Hibernian (H) – Scottish League Cup – September 20
• Genk (H) – Europa League – September 25
• Livingston (A) – Scottish Premiership – September 28 – reside on Sky Sports
• Sturm Graz (A) – Europa League – October 2
• Falkirk (A) – Scottish Premiership – October 5 – reside on Sky Sports