KEVIN THELWELL has insisted Russell Martin is one of the best coaches he’s ever worked with as he publicly backed the under-fire Rangers boss for the first time.
Gers’ Sporting Director broke his silence at the end of a hectic first four months in the job.
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As well as sanctioning the signing of 13 new players, Thelwell has resisted growing calls to sack the man he only appointed in June.
The Light Blues have yet to win a league game this season and were humiliated 9-1 on aggregate by Club Brugge in a shambolic Champions League play-off.
But Thelwell stressed: “I’ve been very lucky over the course of my career to work with some very good managers and some very good head coaches.
“And I have to say to you, he’s one of the best.
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“He’s a very, very good coach, very good on the grass, very well organised.
“He’s extremely high energy.
“So he gives time to players, wants to work with players and wants to develop players, wants to be very clear about trying to make players better and develop them.
“And also he cares about the group. He cares about the results, cares about the performances and also cares about the staff here.
“I found him very, very collaborative.
“Now, I appreciate I’m saying all of those things and we haven’t quite translated yet that what I’m seeing on a day to day basis, all of that hard work, all of that energy into what we need to see on the pitch.
“But I’m certain that that will happen.
“And I appreciate it’s very easy for me to sit here and ask for patience.
“I won’t do that because I know we work at an incredible football club that desires and needs to have a winning team very, very quickly.
“But there also needs to be a little bit of perspective here because we have changed so much and hopefully in due course, again, the fans and everybody will see all of the good work that’s been going on out on the pitch through the performances.”
Thelwell also confirmed that Nico Raskin is set for clear the air talks with Martin on his return from international duty with Belgium.
The 24-year-old midfielder was bombed from the Gers squad ahead of last Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
SunSport understands two tentative enquiries were made on deadline day, with the player opting instead to stay and fight for his place.
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Thelwell revealed: “He’s away on international duty now.
“So to my mind, what happens is he goes on international duty, he comes back as a Rangers player.
“And when he comes back, Russell and I sit down with Nico and talk about what we do next.
“And again, it’s very, very important that we all understand that we all want the same thing.
“We all want a better Rangers team.
“We all want a stronger Rangers team and we all want a winning Rangers team.
“And I think it’s also important to make the point that this year is a very important year for Nico.
“He’s a terrific player. He’s obviously a full Belgium international.
“He’s got a World Cup coming up. I’m sure he’s going to want to be a strong part of that.
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“And so him doing his best for Rangers and playing as well for Rangers is going to be important to him.
“And of course, it’s going to be important to us. So a conversation to be had in due course.”
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