Hendry’s hope Ex-Ibrox star backing new manager Martin
Former star COLIN HENDRY runs rule over new Rangers head coach Martin and his chances of bringing glory days back to Ibrox
Russell Martin was taking his first steps in management when Colin Hendry first met him.
It was 2021 and he was gaffer at MK Dons. Martin and Hendry had a conversation about Callum, Colin’s son, joining the English team from St Johnstone.
The move didn’t materialise, but Scotland legend Hendry was impressed with his fellow countryman. And he kept an eye on his career.
Now, four years on, Martin is head coach of Rangers, one of Hendry’s former clubs, and he hopes to see him make a success of it as they try to topple Celtic.
Hendry told The Sunday Post: “Russell would have been 34 or 35 at the time and it was his first few weeks in the job at MK Dons.
“We met for an hour and I was impressed. He was young, he was enthusiastic and he was honest.
“We spoke about Callum as Russell wanted him. But my son was under contract at St Johnstone and the move couldn’t happen.
“But Russell showed me that he had something about him. I left the meeting thinking that I was going to follow his career.
“He moved to Swansea and then to Southampton. The highlight for him was taking Saints into the English Premier League.
“Sure, it didn’t go to plan for him or the club once they were in the top
I hope Rangers supporters remember that there will be bumps under Russell but they need to stay with him
flight but he clearly has something about him to have that promotion out of the Championship on his CV.
“There is no doubt Russell will have learned so much from those four or five months in the EPL. Rangers will get the benefit of that.
“My view is that it is a good appointment and I wish him all the very best.
“It is not going to be easy for him, that’s for sure. It’s a massive ask to go to Rangers and turn them into title winners. But that’s what he has signed up for.
“He knows the level of expectation and he knows that he will need to deliver.
“Rangers is a massive football club and they want success. They are fed up seeing Celtic being so dominant.
“Russell is the man they have put their trust in to stop that from happening in the new season and I hope he gets off to a good start.
“The Champions League tie against Panathinaikos will be important, of course it is.
“But the true marker is what the club does in the Premiership. Winning the league is what truly matters.
“Last season, the team showed that they could beat Celtic. They had the measure of them, finally.
“But it was going to Motherwell, St Mirren and Hibernian. They are the fixtures where they faltered. They need to get that right.
“When I played for Rangers we had 80% possession in most of the games and we were expected to win home and away. I found it tough, psychologically, with the demands of having to win but not just by one goal. No, the fans wanted us to win by three or four.
“That’s what Rangers is about. But that kind of pressure isn’t for everyone. Whether a manager or a player, you need to have something special about you to cope with that every week.
“It’s been clear in the past decade or so that too many people at
Rangers haven’t been up to the task and it needs to change.
“Russell will be the man to try to change that flow. I’m optimistic that he will be successful.”
Hendry is well aware how important recruitment will be for Rangers and the former Blackburn Rovers skipper has been impressed with the new arrivals, one in particular.
He said: “It can’t be emphasised enough that getting the right types into your squad is key to it all.
“Sure, they need to have ability. But you also need to be a good professional, be dedicated to your work.
“In Joe Rothwell, I think Russell has signed exceptionally well. I’ve watched Joe for a few years and he was great at Blackburn Rovers.
“He is tall, athletic, can pass a lovely ball and is a good communicator. He is 30 years old and will control the midfield area.
“Barry Ferguson had been saying since last summer that the team needed someone of that experience in the engine room and now they have it with Joe. I’m sure Joe will do really well and the Rangers will love his play.
“So far, Russell has signed four or five players and there will be more to come. There is also a need to get three or four away from the squad to bring in funds. There’s a lot of work to be done.
“It’s about knitting as much together as you can during preseason. This is the time to get things ironed out.
“I know the Champions League is important but the League is what it’s all about.
“It might not go to plan in the next two or three weeks but there will be no need for panic or knee-jerk reactions.
“I remember when we won the league with Blackburn Rovers 30 years ago. We didn’t win a game in pre-season but we stayed calm and focused.
“I hope the Rangers supporters remember that there will be bumps here and there under Russell but they need to stay with him and the players.
“They need to be calm and supportive. There is a better chance of achieving success if everyone sticks together.
“But how long will they give Russell? Are many of them out of patience already because of what has happened in the past decade?
“They may well be really down but they can’t blame that on Russell. This is a new manager and new owners and they need to give it time to all come together.”
Hendry was a title winner with Rangers and hopes Martin can lead the Ibrox club stop Celtic reaching five-in-a-row.
He’ll also keep an eye on every team in the SPFL top flight and said: “It’s going to be a cracking 10 months ahead.
“Hibs were brilliant in the second half of last season under David Gray and Liam Craig. I really believe they can kick on again.
“Hearts now have Derek McInnes and he will be desperate to bring a cup to Tynecastle, the way Aberdeen managed to do under Jimmy Thelin.
“Then the other clubs will have their own battles and chances of varying success. I’m looking forward to it all. It’s always entertaining.”