MARTIN'S TUNNEL VISION

Russell allows his players to celebrate first league win without his presence there

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

HAVING been the man occupying the sights of the seething support, Russell Martin thought it was best he allowed his players their moment in the spotlight.

As Max Aarons rifled home the last-gasp winner at Livi yesterday, all eyes were trained on the under-fire Rangers manager.

But as the final whistle went, Martin didn’t hang about as he darted straight down the tunnel.

That was not, he insisted, to escape the furious chants that erupted from fans who still want him sacked despite a first league win of the season.

But rather to allow a team who have copped their own share of the froth and fury this campaign to at last bask in the long-awaited scenes of celebration.

“I can't control it and I can't waste energy focusing on it,” said Martin as he was quizzed on the jeers that haunt his every step in Glasgow.

“I have to use that energy for the players and the staff inside the building and to try and improve us and to win more games. And hopefully if we do that, everyone will be happy. It's why I went down the tunnel after, because the players deserved to enjoy it.

“So it’s not about me at that point but they could enjoy it and I have to wait for them in the dressing room.”

Martin joined in with the cuddle club once he'd escaped prying eyes.