AFTER RANGERS 3:0 HUMILIATION DEFEATS, EX-MANAGER MARTIN RUSSELL STUNS FANS WITH UNEXPECTED SOCIAL MEDIA POST – SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS

Rangers fans were left furious after their team suffered a 3–0 defeat on Thursday, a result that has deepened concerns about the club’s direction and reignited the debate over leadership and accountability.

However, the fallout took an unexpected twist when former Rangers manager Martin Russell posted a critical message on social media before swiftly deleting it. The post, which many believe he was told to remove, has since gone viral after supporters captured screenshots.

Although the post disappeared less than an hour later, the damage  or impact  had already been done. Fans shared screenshots across social media, ensuring that Russell’s words continued to circulate widely.

Rangers’ defeat was described by some pundits as one of the most disappointing performances in recent memory. The team appeared flat and directionless, conceding three unanswered goals and failing to impose themselves on the game.

Boos rang out at full-time, with several supporters calling for the manager’s resignation. Frustration has been mounting for weeks, and Thursday’s result has intensified scrutiny on the club’s leadership both on and off the pitch.

In his short-lived message on X (formerly Twitter), Russell stunned fans with a criticism post;

He wrote;
“Changing managers won’t fix what’s broken,” he wrote. “The problems go far beyond tactics or selections. Until the culture and accountability within the club change, results like tonight will keep happening.”

Russell’s deleted tweet has now become part of that wider conversation  shifting attention away from the manager and toward the board and club structure.

The Deleted Tweet

Rumours quickly spread that Russell had been asked to remove the post. Sources close to the former manager suggested he was advised to take it down after it began to attract widespread media attention.

Despite its deletion, screenshots of the message have flooded social media feeds. Some fans saw it as a moment of honesty from someone who understands the club’s internal challenges, while others criticised the timing and tone.

One fan commented: “He’s just saying what everyone’s thinking. The problems go way deeper than the manager.”

Another disagreed: “Easy for him to say now. He didn’t exactly fix things when he was here.”

Divided Reaction

The online debate has been fierce. Some supporters applauded Russell for his courage in speaking up, arguing that he highlighted structural issues that have plagued Rangers for years. Others accused him of creating unnecessary tension at a time when unity is needed most.

Sports analyst Alan Hume told BBC Sport that Russell’s comments “hit a nerve because they’re true.”

“Rangers have had several managerial changes in recent seasons, yet the same issues persist inconsistency, poor recruitment, and low confidence,” Hume said. “You can’t solve systemic problems with another sacking.”

However, fellow pundit questioned whether Russell’s approach was helpful.

“The timing couldn’t have been worse,” she said. “Posting that kind of criticism straight after a heavy defeat only stirs emotions. Deleting it afterward makes it look like he either regretted it or was told to stay quiet.”

Inside the Club

Reports suggest the atmosphere within Rangers remains tense. The current manager is believed to have addressed the players in a heated post-match meeting, challenging them to “show more fight” and warning that “the badge deserves better.”

Pressure on the board is also mounting. Fans have voiced their frustration at what they perceive to be a lack of direction from the top. Russell’s comments  despite being deleted have amplified calls for a more long-term strategy and a clearer sense of leadership within the club.

Social Media Reaction

By midnight, “Martin Russell” and “Deleted Tweet” were trending across X. Supporters and rival fans alike joined in the discussion, sharing memes, videos, and strong opinions about the club’s situation.

One viral post read: “They can delete the tweet, but they can’t delete the truth.”

Another summed up the mood bluntly: “Rangers didn’t just lose 3–0 tonight they lost control of the narrative.”

What Happens Next

Rangers now face a crucial away fixture this weekend, with pressure on the squad to respond quickly. The club’s management and board will be keen to shift attention back to football, but the lingering fallout from Russell’s post continues to dominate headlines.

Russell himself has not issued any further comment since deleting the message. His X account has remained silent, but the impact of his brief intervention has been profound.

Whether viewed as an act of honesty or a lapse in judgment, the incident has forced uncomfortable questions about where Rangers’ problems truly lie  and whether the solution is really as simple as changing the man in the dugout.

BBC Sport