Why Rangers hierarchy deserve ‘praise’ for Martin debacle
Speaking amid renewed optimism around Ibrox, the former Rangers midfielder reflected on a turbulent period that threatened to derail the club’s season before it had truly begun. Russell Martin’s reign as head coach proved short-lived after Rangers stumbled into their worst league start in nearly five decades, a run of form that immediately placed both the manager and the club’s hierarchy under intense scrutiny.
The criticism was fierce and largely directed at the boardroom. Questions were raised about the summer appointments of Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, with many supporters unconvinced the duo were the right fit for a club demanding instant success. However, Halliday believes the conversation shouldn’t end there.
Rather than clinging stubbornly to decisions that clearly weren’t working, Rangers moved quickly. Martin was dismissed after just seven league matches, with Thelwell following soon after a clear signal that the club recognized the scale of the problem and refused to let the situation fester.
Halliday, who spent five years at Ibrox and understands the pressures that come with the badge, sees that swift action as a sign of leadership rather than weakness. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he suggested that football clubs too often double down on failing ideas to save face, whereas Rangers chose a different route.
Admitting mistakes, in Halliday’s view, is a strength. While the initial appointments remain open to criticism, the speed and decisiveness of the response showed a willingness to adapt and perhaps even rethink how the club operates at the top.
What makes the turnaround even more striking is how dramatically the narrative has shifted. Just months ago, Rangers were enduring a historically poor opening to the campaign. Fast forward to January, and the discussion has flipped entirely, with genuine talk about whether they could emerge as title favourites. That contrast, Halliday admits, borders on the surreal.
Much of that revival has been credited to Danny Röhl, whose impact has been immediate and transformative. Yet Halliday was quick to point out that Rangers’ resurgence hasn’t happened in isolation, suggesting that Celtic’s own inconsistencies have played a part in reopening the title race.
Still, optimism comes with caution. While the momentum is real and belief has returned, Halliday insists the job is far from finished. If Rangers are to truly capitalise on their revived position and carry the challenge all the way, the upcoming January transfer window could prove decisive.
In his view, smart recruitment not just short-term fixes will determine whether this dramatic mid-season shift becomes a genuine title push or simply a remarkable recovery that falls short at the final hurdle.
