Russell Martin’s football philosophy suits Celtic perfectly

Russell Martin is a good appointment as the New Rangers manager, and he can be a good one for Celtic too…

 Russell Martin
New Head Coach of theRangers Russell Martin talks with the media alongside Chief Executive Officer Patrick Stewart, Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell and Nick Thomson. Russell Martin unveiled as the new Head Coach of theRangers at Ibrox, – 05 June 2025 Photo: O Rourke Shutterstock

Russell Martin has been chosen by the new Ibrox owners as the man to end Celtic’s dominance and it’s fair to say his appointment has not gone down too well with the blue half of Glasgow.

Martin is a mere novice in the game but at 39 he’s already cut this managerial teeth at sides such as Swansea and Southampton and will have a decent amount of experience behind him despite his age, so I can’t see why they are disappointed over such an appointment. Who were they expecting, Jose Mourinho? Will they never learn?

 Russell Martin talks with the media alongside Chief Executive Officer Patrick Stewart
New Rangers Head Coach Russell Martin talks with the media alongside Chief Executive Officer Patrick Stewart. Russell Martin unveiled as the new Head Coach of Rangers Football Club, Ibrox, 05 Jun 2025 Photo O Rourke Shutterstock

Similar to Brendan Rodgers, Martin started his managerial career at an early age and also boasts a similar footballing philosophy to that of the Irishman which will make for an intriguing battle between the two clubs in the campaign ahead.

When I say Martin is a good appointment from a Celtic perspective, I don’t say so in a sarcastic manner or with any disrespectful intent towards the former Scotland player who by all accounts is a decent guy. But I say it with a genuine respect and from a Celtic supporter view point it will make our encounters with the Ibrox outfit a more interesting spectacle on the eye than previous years and one that should suit us nicely.

In recent Years theRangers  has adopted a sort of anti football stance against us with their sitting in approach and over physical tactics that have often went unpunished by some ‘lenient’ officials. They have had some recent joy from this and their supporters could argue that Celtic struggled to copy with the tactics used by Clement in the Premier Sports Cup Final in December (which Celtic won on penalties) then the New Year Scottish Premiership fixture at Ibrox which theRangers won 3-0 before Barry Ferguson played the same way and won 3-2 ar Celtic Park a few months later.

Now under Martin they will play a similar style as Celtic under Brendan Rodgers and it’s one that can bring the best out in us as we’ve notably struggled in certain derby clashes these past few encounters.

Adam Idah celebrates
Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Martin’s first Glasgow Derby in the Scottish Premiership will be at Ibrox and it will be early days for the way he wants his team to play. If it goes badly wrong for him you can’t imagine that the natives will be anything other than restless and that will suit Celtic just fine.  Maybe Martin could tell them that Rome wasn’t built in a day? That should work…

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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1 Comment

  1. Hahahaha! Flush with 49ers cash, expecting every big name manager in the world would jump at the chance to manage a bunch of Orcs in a pig pen whilst 30,000 mouth breathing inbreds spew vitriol. Only to end up with a guy that couldn’t hold a job in the English championship.

    The tragic comedy continues…