Rangers fans will love what Richard Keys has said about Russell Martin masterclass

Rangers supporters will wholeheartedly agree with what broadcaster Richard Keys has had to say about former manager Russell Martin’s latest endeavours away from management.

Martin was sacked by Rangers last October after just 17 games in charge following his appointment in June on a three-year deal.

The 123-day spell at Ibrox saw him earn the unwanted accolade of being the shortest-serving manager in Rangers’ history.

Many supporters criticised him during and after his time at the club, with the Gers still reeling from his disastrous spell as they fight for the Premiership title under Danny Rohl.

Rangers’ last match saw them lose ground on Hearts and Celtic with a defeat to Motherwell, just days after news of Martin’s latest venture was revealed to widespread condemnation.

Richard Keys blasts Welsh FA after Russell Martin announcement

The FAW announced last week that ex-Rangers boss Martin will deliver a ‘Coaches Voice Masterclass’ to attendees of their National Coaches Conference that takes place in Newport next month.

Martin spent time in charge of Swansea City between 2021 and 2023, and has delivered practical and theoretical sessions at previous editions of the FAW’s conference.

Many Gers supporters ridiculed the decision to have him as a guest speaker on social media, given the dismal job he did at Ibrox just a few months ago.

Broadcaster and presenter Keys also mocked and slammed the decision in his latest blog post, after touching on Liam Rosenior’s similar style of management and failure at Chelsea.

He wrote:

“Seriously? It’s an event being held this summer – one of the speakers is Martin and he’s going to deliver a ‘tactical masterclass’. Based on what?

“If he were hosting an event based on talking nonsense, I’d understand that better, and I’d expect to see Rosenior making an appearance.

“I don’t have an issue with licences, coaching courses, or a whole lot more of what players can learn in the classroom when they decide they want a career in the dugout, but keep it real.

“Both Martin and Rosenior should take time away and reflect on their last few jobs – especially Martin.

“Talking gobbledygook and as though you’ve swallowed a dictionary doesn’t make up for a lack of common sense. Preaching to others soothes their egos when they should’ve been burst.”

Most Gers supporters will undoubtedly agree with Keys’ sentiments on the decision, even though he has admitted his mistakes and been honest about what he felt went wrong during his short stint at Ibrox.

What has Martin said about his time at Rangers?

The 40-year-old has been linked to a whole host of jobs in England since leaving Glasgow, but is yet to return to the dugout.

He spoke about his time at Rangers on the BBC’s Monday Night Football Club last month and admitted his own faults, saying:

“I don’t regret anything. There’s loads of frustration for me as a coach and a manager and a leader but ultimately, it’s always your fault as a manager.

“It’s my fault I didn’t do well enough and you learn from it and I’ll be better for it, for sure.

“I tried to stress a lot that it probably would take some time so that’s my fault because I was in a place where historically and traditionally you don’t really have time.

“I’d have loved the time to have built something and I felt that was what the club needed. The owners decided differently and they made their decision.”

There are certainly some positives to take from Martin’s time at the club, not least how shrewd his £3.5million signing of Peterborough defender Emmanuel Fernandez looks now that he has hugely impressed over the last few months.

Sources have told Football Insider that Rangers could accept a £25m offer for Fernandez this summer, and Martin can take some credit for the profit they are bound to make in the near future.

It remains to be seen what kind of management job he will take next, as he seems focused on helping other budding coaches achieve their goals for the time being.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.