Shellshocked Rangers dressing room miss the point as reaction to Russell Martin rant backs up blazing boss

Shellshocked Rangers dressing room miss the point as reaction to Russell Martin rant backs up blazing boss

The Ibrox boss ripped into his players in a furious post match TV interview following a draw at Fir Park

Rangers James Tavernier, Oscar Cortes and Kieran Dowell

The point was a bit lost on Kieran Dowell in the Fir Park press room.

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As the Rangers midfielder sat, looking shell-shocked by their woeful display at Motherwell and subsequent filleting from gaffer Russell Martin, he was trying to be positive about their ability to recover.

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He was being quizzed on how big a blow the opening-day Premiership slip-up could be to their title hopes, even this early in the campaign.

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Quite rightly, he insisted they have plenty of time to put things right.

But in the wake of scathing criticism from the manager over their attitude and mentality, Dowell then referred to two years ago.

On the first day of the 23/24 season, Michael Beale’s Rangers side lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

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By October, he’d lost his job and was replaced by Philippe Clement.

And the Belgian somehow galvanised the group to mount a genuine title challenge.

So Dowell was claiming that it can be done.

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But here’s the rub. Ultimately, in control of their own destiny, Rangers couldn’t get over the line. They threw it away.

Dropped points to Motherwell, Ross County and Dundee gifted another championship to Celtic.

And that weak mentality is EXACTLY what Martin was talking about after their draw in Lanarkshire at the weekend.

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As Dowell tried to look for a positive spin, it only reminded fans of the negative mindset which has riddled this club for far too long.

(Image: Kirk O'Rourke/Rangers FC/Shutterstock)

He said: “I understand their (fans) frustration but it’s obviously a long season. So it’s not to say we can’t recover, definitely not.

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“The first season I was here, we got beat on the opening day 1-0 by Kilmarnock.

“And it was in our hands by the end of it. So there’s plenty of time to catch up.”

History tells you this group of players won’t, though. And that’s why Martin scorched them at full-time on Saturday.

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Like Rangers teams of the past few years, they decided to try and sit on a 1-0 lead at Fir Park.

Rather than show urgency, intensity, drive and hunger to kill their opponents off, Martin’s men were passive and insipid.

Anyone who has watched Rangers for a period of time knew the Motherwell leveller was in the post long before it actually arrived.

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So how does Dowell - who was shipped out on loan to Birmingham City last term - explain it?

“I don’t know’, he said. “They (Motherwell) threw a lot more at it, they were a lot more aggressive in the second half and probably should have scored sooner than they did.

“We didn’t take the initiative to get the second goal. We had the players to do it, but we didn’t. That’s what we have to learn from, fast.

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“The manager was right. We weren’t good enough for this club. We weren’t good enough for any club to concede like that.

“The quality of players we have compared to them - we shouldn’t be throwing that game.”

How Martin fixes that problem is going to be fascinating in the coming weeks.

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He’s already brought in seven new players this summer, with Finnish winger Oliver Antman set to be number eight.

He’s questioned the professionalism of some of his squad which doesn’t normally go down well in a dressing-room.

Martin also revealed they’ve had NO bids for any of them, aside from Cyriel Dessers, whose attitude was praised.

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Dowell knows they’re all in the firing line and admits they can have no complaints.

When asked if he’s confident the players can deliver the mentality required, he said: “That’s for the manager and Kevin (Thelwell) to decide.

“If they think the lads in front of them do have, they’ll stay. If they don’t, you’d imagine they’ll move on.

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Rangers Kieran Dowell is dejected

“The manager has been here for five or six weeks now and that’s what he’s noticed (egos).

“Like I said before, it hasn’t been a successful time for the club and maybe we needed those sort of home truths.

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“Or maybe some of the lads needed it. But it’s not for me to say - it’s the manager’s opinion.

“He’s told us to look ourselves in the mirror and if that’s you, you’ll have to take a real look at yourself.”

Dowell’s current Rangers renaissance is remarkable.

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After his loan stint in England’s League One last season, where he helped Birmingham get promotion, few people expected him to play at Ibrox again.

Certainly, the vast majority of fans expected him to be moved on this summer and that might still happen.

But at the start of Martin’s reign, he’s seen enough in the Scouser to - not just involve him in the squad - but to make him a regular starter.

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There’s no doubt he put a shift in for Rangers in their two-legged victory over Panathinaikos in the Champions League qualifier last week.

But in the second half at Fir Park on Saturday, too often he allowed his man - goalscorer Longelo - to get away from him on that side of the pitch and ultimately get Motherwell’s crucial equaliser.

Whether Dowell has a long-term future under Martin remains to be seen.

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The signing of Mikey Moore from Spurs and potential arrival of Antman, might suggest otherwise.

But Dowell - with only one year left on his current Ibrox deal - says he’s determined to be part of Martin’s attempt at a Rangers revolution.

He said: “Definitely. I’ve had a really frustrating 18 months at the club when I haven’t played a lot of good football.

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“The manager said it was a fresh start for a lot of players so I’m just trying to work as hard as I can to be in his plans.

“It’s a big compliment that he’s playing me. The way our wingers play is high and wide so I’m just happy to be on the pitch, if I’m honest.

“I’m trying to contribute what I can in my own style and I’m grateful for that trust from the manager.”

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