SPFL manager claims Championship side scare him more than Rangers in stinging analysis
10/23/2024 05:40 AM
Rangers are being ripped to shreds after a desperate display at Kilmarnock has the Scottish footballing knives being sharpened.
Everyone from the hapless Rangers leadership to Philippe Clement and the Ibrox squad are in the spotlight after falling six points behind in the Premiership title race.
And now one SPFL manager has turned the screw, by suggesting that even teams in the Scottish Championship have more to offer than Rangers.
David Martindale would have 'no worry' playing Rangers
Livingston manager David Martindale saw his team suffer relegation last season but has made a bright start as he looks to take the West Lothian club back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
And the ex-Rangers youth, who was once tipped to take over at Ibrox, hasn't held back as he rips into Philippe Clement's lacklustre squad.
Reflecting on the different Rangers teams of recent seasons, Martindale is clear that he believes the Ibrox side have regressed.
But more than that, Martindale has questioned Rangers' attacking options and reckons Celtic, Hibs, Kilmarnock and even Championship rivals Falkirk have better players in the final third.
"Have they got them players that you really look at?" Martindale told Open Goal. "Going up against Celtic; Jota, Maeda, how do we stop them?
"I don't think Rangers have got that fear factor. Even Hibs with (Martin) Boyle, (Elie) Youan, you need that.
"Celtic have got the players who suit that style of play (one v one). Rangers have not recruited those players.
"I'm not sure (the Rangers players are better than the Kilmarnock players).
"I'm just looking at it from a coach's point of view and coaching against Rangers this year.
"What would worry me? I'm not sure the worry is there.
"In previous years the worry has been Aribo, Kamara, Kent, there's been a lot.
"Going against Celtic (in comparison), even going against Falkirk, I'm looking at Rangers and everything is in front of you."
St Johnstone pair strike more fear than Rangers
It didn't end there either as David Martindale slaughtered the lacklustre Rangers frontline.
With the Gers toiling in the final third in Ayrshire, and all season long, Martindale reckons even the likes of St Johnstone have better forward options than the Gers.
Pointing to new Saints manager Simo Valaraki playing two up top in St Johnstone's 3-0 win over Ross County, Martindale lauded the Perthshire club's frontline.
So much so the Livingston manager reckons Adama Sidibeh and Benjamin Kimpioka are better options than the likes of Cyriel Dessers at Rangers.
"Go back to looking at St Johnstone," said Martindale. "What you're saying about the two strikers, they're a handful.
"We're looking at St Johnstone and that's what we're saying and going into a game you'd be worried about that.
"And we have been worried about (Adama) Sidibeh and (Benjamin) Kimpioka.
"Going into a Rangers game (you're not thinking that), St Johnstone you're worried about the two strikers."
