Supporters Sound Off
A controlled platform created for Scottish football fans to assess their clubs openly, the supporter comment line was flooded with responses this past Sunday. So intense that the moderators needed to review messages submitted by supporters of one Glasgow team who expressed their anger concerning “the boring, unwatchable content” they were subjected to by “players not good enough” who “appear clueless”. Interestingly, these appraisals were relatively polite left by angry Celtic supporters after their team’s victory against Motherwell.
Although there were plenty of Gers supporters expressing their rage, fans who made the trip to Falkirk witnessing another draw in the league adopted a more direct method to showing their dissatisfaction. Following loud disapproval at full-time, some proceeded to the team bus zone to organize a daunting demonstration in front of the team bus. What happened in Falkirk should remain there, seemed to be the prevailing view, although the key figure of their anger sneaked out of a side door and had a security detail with equestrian units to a waiting car. “I didn’t like what I saw because it looked a bit like mob rule and such behavior is unacceptable,” reasoned a Rangers legend turned broadcaster over the airwaves, discussing the ugly and inappropriate aftermath caused by irate followers. “Yet, I will defend the supporters’ right to demonstrate, are fully entitled to express their views. I fully understand that.”
The Escape and the Consequences
After escaping the scene aided and abetted by the constabulary, it was later revealed that Russell Martin had been fired as Rangers head coach by the leadership group responsible for a confusing appointment to bring him on board originally. A selection so criticized that even a frequent critic would have received a warmer welcome, he was soon subjected to on the receiving end of abuse from the team’s followers that only increased in volume during pre-season friendlies, the club’s 6-0 shellacking in a cup competition versus the Belgian side and a Premiership run that was nearly catastrophic. He exits as the briefest tenure in the club’s long history remaining in charge for fewer days than another international manager who famously apologized through a fence to angry fans during a match in Luxembourg.
A Pattern of Failure
Naturally, sorry always seemed to be difficult to utter for the manager, who often seemed as aloof and supercilious when publicly throwing his players under the bus or addressing legitimate concerns about their and his own myriad shortcomings. A man who always conveyed the notion that supporters and staff must be grateful a coach of his talents had agreed to lead them, he departs with an assumed lucrative settlement due to his poor performance. And while his appointment was arguably the most obviously flawed during the summer, it was not necessarily the costliest. A transfer window campaign included the incoming proprietors allocating around £30m on eight additional squad members, the vast majority of whom are so poor they cannot make a Rangers team that currently sits eighth in the top division having a deficit in goals.
Leadership Strain and Coming Changes
After taking the CEO role in November of last year following nearly two decades in a junior position at Old Trafford, Patrick Stewart has now become the notable exception to the prevailing rule that former staff members excel in future positions. Already the subject of various uncomplaining rants in public forums, he urgently requires an effective new appointment or his position may be at risk, so Glaswegians can expect the pursuit of a different coach to light up the sky over Ibrox very soon.
Highlighted Comment
“I view it as a thrilling chance. You have to be up for the fight and the struggle. It would be foolish for me at the age of 60 if I lacked self-belief or fight. Even in the schoolyard I challenged individuals who were stronger than me” – The football coach is showing optimism, and he is set to reassure the leadership committee to stick with his process when he holds talks with the known tolerant proprietor this week.
Supporter Correspondence
“Concerning the local rivalry result. Having entered the world in 1981, after four decades of achievements from the top clubs along with a lack of consideration for fans of the ‘other’ teams – and paranoid claims of conspiracy - I do hope Hearts win the Scottish Premiership” – A supporter.
“Perhaps it might be possible you will start giving away the Football Weekly mugs given that you no doubt have over a thousand in storage somewhere in your offices? I lost (actually shattered) my previous one” – Padhraig Higgins.
“It is patently obvious that the manager is not the problem in the organization. The real issue is the proprietor, who does not accept opposition! As a lifelong fan of a lower-league team just down the road from the City Ground, have great respect for the previous manager because, in the best interests of his club, he stood up to the owner. We must wish that the leadership engages in self-reflection – surprisingly enough –and finally admits he was wrong. I remain skeptical” – A veteran supporter.
“I would not normally to validate the pedantry of particular individuals however, the timeframe from September to October amounts to 22 days, equating to over three weeks not three weeks. Seven matches in that period is 2.23 games per week not 2.33, {which works out to an extra less than 14
