Russell Martin questioned as Rangers expert slams ‘lazy’ player who is ‘nowhere near’ the level
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Ciaran Morrison
Fri 26 September 2025 8:50, UK
Rangers’ dire start to the season continued with a 1-0 defeat against Genk, with no sign of Russell Martin being able to turn around performances and results.
Martin faces the sack at Rangers following their run of just one win in seven matches, with the Gers sitting second from bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.
One Rangers star in particular has been slammed for his performance, which leaves Martin in a precarious position.
Credit: Imago
Midfielder Mohammed Diomande was woeful in Rangers’ defeat to Genk, and the 23-year-old’s sending off in the first half swung the game in the visitors’ favour.
Diomande has been a constant under Martin, but the former Southampton boss is now being questioned for why he continues to pick the Ivory Coast international.
Tom English, on BBC Sport [26 September] believes Martin needs to take some of the blame for Diomande’s red card.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
“Diomande, who on his very best days looks like a player worthy of the jersey, has been nowhere near it this season,” English said.
“Too often he’s been lazy in his work and now he was ridiculous in his discipline.
Diomande’s moment of madness was the last thing Martin needed, but it was Martin who picked him and it was Martin who picked others who struggled to make passes.
“It was Martin, again, whose management of this team produced very little threat while giving up big chances even when it was 11 versus 11.
“His midfielder let him down on Thursday, and on other days and nights it was others who let him down, didn’t show enough leadership, failed to make a difference.
“The cast of characters on that front is long and thunderously unimpressive.”
Nico Raskin fell out of favour under Martin earlier in the campaign, but none of the 11 new players who signed in the transfer window have yet to make an impact.
Credit: Imago
Diomande contributed four goals and seven assists across the Scottish Premiership last season, and alongside Raskin, Rangers had a fine midfield duo.
Martin has not been able to get the best out of either of them this campaign, and Diomande ranks poorly in winning duels.
Minutes Played324Goals0Assists0Dispossessed 8Duels Won %43.6Aerial Duels Won %16.7Mohammed Diomande in the Scottish Premiership this season as per Fotmob.
That comes down to a lack of fight, and Martin will be wary that Rangers travel to a physical Livingston team next on an artificial surface.