Neil Warnock had Alan Brazil chuckling as he weighed in on Russell Martin’s appointment as Rangers manager.
Although Rangers have yet to kick off their summer transfer activity, with major hurdles now cleared, it’s only a matter of time before new arrivals begin to appear at Ibrox. With Martin now at the helm and 49ers Enterprises backing the rebuild, the club is aiming to return to the top of Scottish football—a space that Celtic have comfortably dominated in recent years.
During a discussion about what lies ahead for Rangers, Warnock took the opportunity to take a playful jab at Celtic while speaking to Brazil.
Rangers Face a Crucial Summer Rebuild
After a commanding season from Celtic, Rangers find themselves needing to make significant changes to close the competitive gap and become serious contenders for trophies again. With previous managerial spells under Philippe Clement and interim boss Barry Ferguson falling short, Russell Martin understands the scale of the challenge ahead.
Warnock, however, was upbeat about Martin’s potential success in Glasgow. When asked on talkSPORT (18 June) whether Martin could thrive in the role, Warnock praised the new boss but also took a cheeky swipe at Brazil’s Celtic ties.
“I do, yeah [think Martin can do a good job], against you lot,” Warnock quipped.
“If they can just be a bit more direct instead of doing 20 passes at the back, I think they’d give your lot a proper game.”
While Warnock’s comments were delivered in jest, the underlying message was clear—Rangers have an opportunity under Martin to make things more competitive in Scotland.
No Room for Error at Ibrox This Summer
If Rangers are to realistically challenge Celtic next season, they’ll need to nail every aspect of their recruitment. Several names have already been linked with a move to Ibrox, and it’s crucial that each signing fits Martin’s vision and genuinely strengthens the starting XI—an area that struggled to find consistency last season.
Supporters will be watching closely as the summer unfolds, with expectations high and no margin for missteps. As Warnock’s light-hearted exchange with Brazil hinted, the stakes are high for Martin, but so is the belief that he could be the man to reignite Rangers’ competitiveness.
