Pragmatism wins over favouritism

Martin must overcome intransigence and give Raskin free rein

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RUSSELL MARTIN has succeeded in taking the Rangers supporters to two places at one time.

In the first instance, he has taken them to the end of their tether, where they are finished with him, his arrogance and the job he is doing at Ibrox.

Secondly, Martin, having left the fans bereft of all hope after yesterday's defeat from Hearts and disgusted by the ongoing rejection of Nico Raskin, has removed the fan base to the last resort.

That being the hope Celtic offer some hope of yet salvaging something from the season by becoming trapped by implosion while Rangers deal with the after effects of explosion.

The last 12 minutes of the game at Rugby Park today will be of infinitely more interest than the first 12 if you are a Rangers fan.

If the stand occupied by the Celtic support for the game against Kilmarnock is belatedly as empty as it will be when the match kicks off, it will mean there has been a show of disgust, as opposed to a demonstration of solidarity, among the away fans.

A visible indication that the team put together under reduced circumstances, diminished responsibility and UEFA-enforced constrictions - or whatever excuse it is the Celtic board are peddling this weekend - has flopped on the field of play.

And solidified the theory that Celtic's season is on an irreversible slide towards implosion at the same time.