RUSS: DISAPPEARING ACT WAS TO ENSURE SQUAD SAVOURED WIN

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

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

When Max Aarons rifled home the stoppage-time winner at Livingston yesterday, all eyes were trained on the under-fire Rangers manager.

But, as referee John Beaton blew the final whistle in West Lothian, Martin darted straight down the tunnel.

His swift departure was not, he insisted, to escape the chants of furious fans who still want him sacked despite a first Premiership win of the season.

But it was to allow a team that has copped its own share of flak this season to finally bask in long-awaited celebrations.

"I can't control it and I can't waste energy focusing on it," said Martin 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. It's not about me at that point I have to wait for them in the dressing room."