RUSSELL UP A BIT OF PATIENCE

Former assistant boss says the thing new gaffer Martin needs most is lots of time

- ANDY NEWPORT

ISSAME CHARAI insists there are no hard feelings after quitting Rangers - but hopes the new regime take a more patient path to success.

The Moroccan only arrived at the club in January as part of Philippe Clement's backroom team but was kept on after the Belgian boss was axed just weeks later following a rotten run.

Charai joined caretaker gaffer Barry Ferguson as a temporary team was appointed to steer the side through to the summer.

Russell Martin is now in the Ibrox hotseat, handpicked by new chairman Andrew Cavenagh and his righthand man Paraag Marathe to lead the club into a new era.

Charai, meanwhile, is going his own way after an amicable exit following clear-the-air talks with Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

But there's no hard feelings, especially now the 43-year-old has landed on his feet with a top job at Belgian side Westerlo.

Speaking to RecordSport, Charai said: “I had a good chat with Russell and with Kevin. We talked about my situation but I saw that Russell was coming in with an assistant, Matt Gill.

“It was actually very respectful. We had a good chat and then we talked about our job description - and it was quite the same (as Matt’s).

“Then I said, you know, I think it’s better that we take a decision as soon as possible so I can try to get something else.

“When we announced that we’d agreed mutually to part ways, my phone started ringing!

“It was then about making the right decision about which club to join.”

Rangers have faced a string of big calls in recent months - none bigger than axing Clement.

The previous board held off as long as they could but fan fury eventually forced their hand.