Martin plays down dugout ban concerns after red card in Middlesbrough friendly

Russell Martin claims he isn’t worried about being hit with a touchline ban for Rangers’ Premiership opener at Motherwell after being sent off against Middlesbrough.

Furious that his makeshift side weren’t awarded a penalty when Luke Ayling handled the ball while defending a corner, the manager made his feelings known to John Beaton as the referee left the field at half-time.

Beaton evidently felt the Ibrox boss’ words crossed a line, with Martin forced to watch the second half of the 2-2 draw from the stand.

He will now have to wait until Monday to discover if the SFA deem the matter serious enough to merit further punishment. But Martin believes the clear-the-air chat he had with Beaton at full-time felt like a line being drawn under the matter.

Asked if he had any concerns over being hit with a ban, he said: ‘No, I don’t think so, no. I would be surprised.

‘We shook hands and had a chat after and they accepted my apology. He (Beaton) apologised about the decision as well. So, hopefully it’s all just done and dusted. I’m a passionate guy and I probably overstepped the mark.’

Martin could face a touchline ban following his outburst towards the officials

The Scot was left frustrated after his side weren't awarded a penalty

Keen to avoid injuries ahead of Wednesday’s return leg against Panathinaikos in Greece, Martin named an entirely different team for the last friendly of the summer.

Academy graduates Bailey Rice, Josh Gentles and Zander Hutton were afforded starts along with more established names including Cyriel Dessers, Connor Barron and Oscar Cortes.

With his side two down through goals from Neto Borges and Dael Fry, Martin — from his new seat high in the stands — ordered seven changes on the hour mark, with two of those introduced combining four minutes later to halve the deficit.

Max Aaron’s whipped delivery may have been set to sneak in at the far post but Danilo’s glancing header made sure it did.

Rangers were better for the changes and midweek hero Findlay Curtis — benched after his starring role against Panathinaikos four days earlier — slammed home the equaliser after visiting keeper Tom Glover had parried Nico Raskin’s header.

Martin was pleased with the way his substitutes sparked a revival but declared himself to be far from happy with the attitude of some of the fringe players at the start of the match.

Findlay Curtis bundles the ball over the line to bring the home side level with Boro

‘I can always accept if the intensity is there, the courage is there and we’re not quite there tactically and we need to fix a few things,’ he added. ‘But I didn’t like the energy or the body language of too many on the pitch in the first 20, 25 minutes.

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‘They got through that, got better, a bit more intensity, which helped us. So, I will give them big credit for getting through that.’

Injuries prevented both Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane from featuring against Boro, but Martin believes both players have a chance of being involved in the return leg on Wednesday.

‘We hope to have both, so we’re not in a big problem,’ he explained. ‘It was just so early on to have them back for one game to then risk missing three or four after, or maybe even more.’

Meanwhile, defender Robin Propper has left Rangers for an undisclosed fee as he returns to FC Twente.

The 31-year-old joined from the Dutch side, where he was club captain, in August 2024 and made 43 appearances across the 2024/25 season under managers Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson.

Danilo had earlier given Rangers a way back into the match with an acrobatic effort

‘Robin goes with everyone’s best wishes,’ said Martin. ‘The way he’s dealt with being told he’s not going to be part of things, training separately from the group with a few others, he’s been incredible.’

Martin expects others who aren’t part of his plans to leave before the transfer window closes.

Ridvan Yilmaz, Ben Davies, Ross McCausland, Rabbi Matondo and Jose Cifuentes are among those who look to have no futures at the club.

‘I think we have interest in a fair few of the players, but as and when they go, I don’t know,’ said Martin.

‘I just wait for Kevin (Thelwell, sporting director) to tell me what’s going on. And yeah, whilst they’re here, they’ll be treated with care and respect and professionalism.

‘It might not always be on the terms they want or like, but I think if we’re honest with each other and we respect each other and they respect the group, there’s not going to be a problem.’