Rangers head coach Russell Martin describes owners' support and shares pride after draw with Celtic

Rangers head coach Russell Martin says he feels fully supported by the Ibrox hierarchy and ownership, after seeing his side draw 0-0 with Celtic.

Martin went into Sunday’s derby under pressure following the 6-0 hammering at the hands of Club Brugge that ended Rangers’ Champions League hopes and continued a poor start that’s brought only three wins from 11 games in charge.

Sunday’s draw with Celtic was the team’s fourth consecutive draw in a winless start to the Premiership season and was watched by club chairman Andrew Cavenagh, who had flown in from America, as well as vice-chairman and 49ers Enterprises head Paraag Marathe, who was in the directors box along with chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

Martin welcomed their backing and revealed that Cavenagh had addressed the players and told them that the head coach remained the right man to take the team forward.

“I haven’t felt one change in their attitude towards me,” Martin said. “If anything I’ve felt more support than ever in the last week. From Kevin, Patrick and the owners.

“Andrew spoke amazingly well to the players and staff on Saturday on the plan we embarked on just 90 days or so ago. They felt it was the right plan then and they still do.

“He doesn’t want to get caught up in the hysteria of what goes out and goes with being at this club. The pain threshold has been reached time and time again at this club by the supporters. There’s usually a change but nothing has really changed.

“So I feel really supported by the owners. The players and staff needed to hear that on Saturday. There was a lightness in them after that.

“Today they showed how hard they want to run for us, the staff, the supporters and the owners.

“They feel supported and there’s a plan in place. They understand it.

“We’re disappointed we haven’t got more points but we’re six points off the top and now we have to be hungry and hunt desperately to win and get better.”

Sunday’s Old Firm derby was not one for the neutrals, with the match short on goalscoring chances and without many moments of quality. However, Martin saw a lot to like from his side and a reaction to the heavy midweek defeat.

“I’m really proud of a lot of the stuff I saw, in terms of the togetherness, fight and spirit in the team,” the head coach said.

“We showed aggression, desire, all the stuff we were questioned on from outside in midweek. We questioned ourselves on it.

“That was a big focus for us, to put in a performance which showed the guys are together. They’re all in, they want to run and fight. They were brilliant in that sense.

“I’m disappointed not to win the game and the players are as well. We just couldn’t quite calm it down when we had a few moments in possession. We rushed a few things and didn’t make the most of our territory.

“But the first thing today was showing how together they are as a group.

“They certainly did that.”