Rangers’ season has taken a dramatic turn, with former midfielder Graham Dorrans delivering a frank and emotional assessment of the club’s turbulent start under Russell Martin—and the remarkable recovery that has followed under Danny Rohl.
Speaking from the United States, where he now lives, Dorrans didn’t hold back as he reflected on a painful period for the Ibrox side that ultimately cost Martin his job just months into the campaign.
Martin Era: Promises That Fell Apart
Russell Martin’s spell in charge of Rangers began with expectation but quickly descended into chaos. A winless run early in the season piled pressure on the manager, and results never recovered enough to save his position.
Dorrans, who is close friends with Martin, admitted it was difficult to watch unfold—both personally and professionally.
He suggested that while Martin struggled to implement his ideas, the players themselves failed to meet the required standards at Rangers, where results are non-negotiable.
The message from his comments was clear: the problems weren’t one-dimensional.
“The Players Let Him Down” – A Damning Assessment
One of the most striking parts of Dorrans’ reflection was his view on the squad’s responsibility during that period.
He argued that several senior players did not fully deliver, and that the collective performance level simply wasn’t good enough to support a manager trying to implement a new style.
In his view, the environment at Rangers—where pressure is constant and expectations are extreme—meant that when results dipped, belief quickly drained from the dressing room.
He also pointed out a familiar pattern in football: players instinctively distance themselves from pressure when things go wrong, allowing the manager to take the majority of the blame.
Danny Rohl’s Transformation
Since Danny Rohl’s arrival, Rangers have undergone a noticeable revival.
The team’s form has improved, confidence has returned, and what once looked like a lost season has been dragged back into contention. According to Dorrans, this turnaround highlights that the squad has quality—but needed the right conditions and leadership to unlock it.
He described the shift as an “upward trajectory,” suggesting the difference has been both tactical and psychological.
Where there was confusion and inconsistency before, there is now structure and belief.
From Crisis to Title Race
Perhaps the most surprising part of Dorrans’ assessment is how quickly the narrative has changed.
At one point, he admitted the season felt effectively over. Now, with Rangers back in the title race, belief has returned—both inside and outside the club.
He pointed to the upcoming Old Firm fixtures as decisive, suggesting that momentum could swing the title race dramatically if Rangers enter key matches in a strong position.
A Season of Contrasts
From early-season collapse to renewed optimism, Rangers’ campaign has been defined by extremes.
For Dorrans, the lesson is clear: managerial change alone doesn’t fix everything—but it can expose deeper issues within a squad, and also unlock its potential when the right balance is found.
What remains now is consistency.
If Rohl’s side maintain their current trajectory, a season that once looked lost could yet end in silverware—and a very different story from the one written under Russell Martin.
