KRIS BOYD WENT FULL SAVAGE ON RUSSELL MARTIN AND RANGERS OVER DECISION TO STRIP JAMES TAVERNIER OFF CAPTAINCY ROLE
# Kris Boyd Unleashes Savage Critique on Russell Martin and Rangers Over Tavernier Captaincy Decision
In a blistering takedown that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, former Rangers striker and pundit Kris Boyd has gone full savage on manager Russell Martin and the Ibrox board. Boyd’s fury stems from Martin’s decision to retain James Tavernier as club captain, a move he deems not just misguided but a recipe for disaster amid the team’s dismal start to the 2025-26 season. With Rangers languishing after a humiliating 6-0 Champions League thrashing by Club Brugge and just three wins in ten games under Martin, Boyd didn’t hold back on Sky Sports, questioning whether the boss should even keep his job.
“Stripping Tavernier of the armband? No, that’s not the issue—it’s keeping him on that’s the lunacy!” Boyd roared, his trademark passion on full display. The 44-year-old ex-striker, who netted 170 goals for Rangers during his playing days, lambasted Martin for failing to upgrade the squad in any position. He pointed to the signing of Max Aarons as right-back cover, declaring, “Aarons is definitely not an upgrade on Tavernier. We’ve got nothing better—it’s embarrassing!” Boyd argued that clinging to Tavernier, despite his nine goals and assists last season, ignores the captain’s role in defensive frailties that have plagued the team.
Boyd reserved his sharpest barbs for Martin personally, suggesting the Southampton loanee’s possession-based style is ill-suited to Rangers’ high-stakes environment. “Russell’s right to worry about the Premiership start—he should be terrified! The board’s backing him? Good luck with that after Brugge,” he scoffed, referencing the red card to Aarons and Tavernier’s tepid post-match comments that stopped short of endorsing his manager. Boyd highlighted Tavernier’s refusal to “outright back Martin” as a damning indictment, implying a lack of leadership at the top.
The pundit’s rant taps into growing fan unrest, with the Rangers Fan Advisory Board already calling for Martin’s head. Boyd, ever the Ibrox loyalist, warned that without bold changes—like offloading Tavernier and injecting fresh blood—the club risks another trophyless campaign behind dominant Celtic. “Tavernier’s a scapegoat because Celtic’s been king. But numbers don’t lie—his stats are solid, yet the results aren’t. Time to strip the captaincy and move on, or Martin’s tenure ends in tears.”
Boyd’s unfiltered outburst has ignited debate across Scotland, with social media ablaze. As Rangers gear up for the Old Firm clash, one thing’s clear: the pressure cooker at Ibrox is boiling over.
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