A fiery on-air debate broke out after a Celtic icon accused a BBC presenter of subtly pushing for Rangers boss Russell Martin to be sacked sparking tension during the broadcast.
The pressure continues to mount on Martin following Rangers’ disappointing start to the season. A 1-0 home loss to Genk in the Europa League, in which Rangers played with 10 men for the entire second half, has intensified scrutiny ahead of their Premiership clash with Livingston. The team currently sits 11th in the table after five games.
During the BBC segment, the conversation shifted to the uncertain futures of both Martin and Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin the latter now under fire after his team failed to score in six matches, including a 2-0 loss to Motherwell.
Amid the discussion, former Celtic midfielder John Collins took aim at fans who have been booing Martin, saying such reactions only make matters worse. However, the debate escalated when Collins accused the BBC host of insinuating that Martin should be dismissed turning a routine football discussion into must-listen drama.
BBC Pundit Defends Himself After Accusation of Wanting Russell Martin Sacked
A heated moment unfolded during a football panel discussion when BBC pundit Tom English was accused of suggesting that Rangers manager Russell Martin should be dismissed.
The debate featured former Rangers striker Rory Loy and BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English, with tensions rising as the conversation shifted to how Aberdeen and Rangers are handling their under-fire managers.
John Collins, a former Celtic midfielder, took aim at English’s praise for Aberdeen’s patience with Jimmy Thelin. “You say it’s good the Aberdeen board are giving him time is that a good board or a bad board?” Collins asked, implying that English was being inconsistent by not applying the same logic to Rangers’ situation.
Collins, visibly frustrated, went further: “You want the manager out as quickly as possible. You’re insinuating. Every sentence that comes out of your mouth, you’re insinuating it.”
English firmly pushed back on the claim, saying: “No, no did you hear me say that? I’m not insinuating anything. I’m highlighting the issues that need to be addressed and the mistakes that have been made. I’ve never said Russell Martin should be sacked you’re imagining that.”
The fiery exchange highlighted the growing pressure on Martin and how divided opinions are becoming around his future at Ibrox.
Rory Loy Weighs In on Rangers Struggles as Debate Gets Heated
Former Rangers striker Rory Loy attempted to bring a level-headed perspective to a tense discussion surrounding Russell Martin’s future at Ibrox but quickly found himself in the crossfire as well.
Loy drew on past experience, recalling when Walter Smith returned to Rangers after Paul Le Guen’s departure. “When Smith came back, he didn’t spend big players like Steven Whittaker, Kirk Broadfoot, and Steven Naismith weren’t huge signings but he still got the team back to where they felt they belonged,” Loy said. He argued that the solution now may not be high-profile signings, but rather a need to simplify and reset under Martin.
However, Loy highlighted recurring problems on the pitch. “It doesn’t matter who’s bringing the players in the goals Rangers concede are happening week after week. I watched it at Alloa Connor Sammon was causing issues for Max Aarons, and no one addressed it. The same issues popped up against St Mirren, Brugge, and others.”
But before he could finish, John Collins interjected, accusing Loy of implying Martin was a poor manager. “So you’re saying he’s a really bad manager?” Collins pressed.
Loy calmly replied, “Let me finish, John. The fact is, whether it’s Martin’s fault or the players’, we don’t know for sure. But what is undeniable is that the same basic defensive errors keep happening. That’s a matter of fact.”
The exchange highlighted the frustration and division surrounding Rangers’ current form and whether the blame lies more with the manager or the squad.
