Rangers boss Russell Martin stands by team criticism: 'It all comes from a place of love'

Rangers head coach Russell Martin has stood by his criticism of the team following their draw with Motherwell – but insists his harsh words came from “a place of love”.

Martin didn’t pull his punches on Saturday when Rangers failed to capitalise on James Tavernier’s early goal at Fir Park and ended up drawing 1-1 in their Premeirship opener.

The Ibrox boss said some players had to “drop their ego”, that there was a long-standing mentality problem in the squad and that some went into “self-preservation mode”. In a lengthy criticism of the team’s performance, he said he was angry and surprises by “lethargy” within the side and would “have to work out quickly who really wants to listen and who will really fight and run”.

Speaking ahead of the Champions League qualifying first leg against Viktoria Plzen, Martin didn’t seek to play down his remarks but said that they were intended to bring about a positive outcome and that he didn’t expect them to be detrimental to the team or to individuals.

“It all comes from a place of love,” the Rangers head coach said. “We are here ultimately for the players.

“We’re here to win football matches but as coaches we are here to help them win, develop, improve and understand why, and to help them enjoy playing for a club like this.

“I don’t think too many have enjoyed it enough, playing for a club like this.

“If it has a detrimental effect on certain individuals then they are probably not the ones we want to come on the journey with us.

“If it has a detrimental effect on you and it hurts you to the point where you feel singled out then there’s probably an issue with you being all in at this club, in this place and with us. I don’t have any worry about it being detrimental to the team.

“Whenever I have questioned any of our teams in the past about attitude the response has been fantastic.”

Martin hopes to see that response on Tuesday night against Viktoria Plzen, with the reward for progress being a place in the Champions League play-off round against RB Salzburg or Club Brugge.

Plzen came from behind to defeat Servette to reach this stage and the Rangers boss says they will be difficult opponents.

“The games going to be tough,” he said. “They’re really powerful and really strong.

“They play forward quickly. It’s really different test to the Panathinaikos one and a really exciting one.

“They have real strength in certain areas but we have to turn the game, especially at Ibrox, into the game we want.

“We need to move the ball quickly, better than we did the other day, but we have to really be up for the fight against these guys because they are a strong and powerful team.

“I’m looking forward to it.”