By Ryan McDonald
Copyright dailyrecord
Brendan Rodgers has lashed out at the volatile flak coming Russell Martin’s way – and took a swipe at the sideline snipers. The Celtic boss came out swinging in defence of his under-fire Rangers rival amid a wave of criticism coming his way from fans, pundits and ex-Ibrox staff. Martin has been vilified and ridiculed for sending his struggling stars on a team bonding trip to Loch Lomond and Conic Hill. But Rodgers revealed his Hoops stars also enjoyed a secret day out without the eyes of the world watching. And with outspoken critics – including last year’s Gers coaching staff who have all returned to media work – taking aim at Martin, Rodgers has demanded they show some respect. He said: ”Being a manager in this modern game and especially at the high end clubs and the big pressure clubs, it’s a big challenge. Because all the eyes are on you. “It can be a lonely place. The voices of safety are even less. There’s hardly any time to breathe. But you have to find a way. “I see some of the stuff from during the week when the team went on a team-building exercise. Every team does that. “It’s like anything in life, it’s timing. In another time, if Russell does that and they won a few games, everyone would be saying, ‘What a great idea!’ “You look as a manager for blocks in your time when you can. So we had a team building exercise during the week with the players, the partners, wives and girlfriends – and it was really nice. “Thankfully you guys didn’t get to hear about it. But, it happens. I see the scrutiny that’s on Russell and whatever happens for him, he will be better for it. “I have some issues around the moral aspect when I see people commenting on how he’s doing and not that long ago they were stood in his shoes or sat on the bench. So, I don’t like that. “When I see a manager being pulled up on certain parts of the game, certain tactics of the game, that not so long ago other people couldn’t work that out either. “So for him, everything is on him. He will be stronger for it. He’s got a bit of experience behind him. “At 39, I was 39 when I managed Liverpool, so I know exactly what it’s like. You go into the big arenas and everything else, but this will make him stronger. “You’ve just got to have that inherent belief in what you’re doing, believe in it, and hopefully then you get the opportunity to come through that.” Without naming culprits, Rodgers referenced former coaching staff and managers in the media who have been in Martin’s shoes before. He said: ”I have over 800 games now as a manager. So, I’m always aware and I look to see what other managers will be saying – or people who have been in that position – who should know better. “Some will say, ‘Well, I’ve got to…’ “But you’ve walked in the shoes. Unless you’ve been in the shoes of a manager or a coach, do you really, really understand what that person’s going through. “And if you have been in that position, then you should respect more. You know how tough it is. You know how challenging it is. You know certain things you can’t change, that you can’t bring out into the open. “So, for me, I’ve always found that interesting when managers that are currently in a job, they’re taking a bit of stick from people who weren’t that long ago in the job and found it challenging.” Thousands will gather outside Ibrox tonight in a mass protest calling for the heads of Martin and chief executive Patrick Stewart. But Rodgers added: ”I spoke to Russell after our game when we played at Ibrox. So, he’s a good guy. He’s a good man. “He was a really good servant for Scotland when he played. He had a fantastic career built around will and desire and had a really good career. “He’s stepped into management, has done well with the clubs that he’s been at and has now taken on an opportunity up here to try and transform Rangers. “So, give them room to breathe. Of course, there’s always a demand. There always will be at Celtic and Rangers, of course. “But it’s other people out within that, that I struggle to see how they can say the things that they say against a young manager who is trying to get his way in.” Follow Record Sport on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the-minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We’re also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here . Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On , every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
