Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen believes Russell Martin must be given time to turn things around at Rangers and implement his style of play.
Martin is under growing pressure from supporters after overseeing Rangers’ worst start to a league season in 36 years.
Rangers have a mountain to climb in Belgium on Wednesday night as they seek to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Brugge.
Hayen and Martin struck up a friendship in Wales a few years ago when they were in charge of Haverfordwest County and Swansea City respectively.
‘Of course, it is a tough situation,’ said Hayen of his Ibrox counterpart. ‘I don’t know the club really well, but they started again from the bottom.
‘They are growing again. It takes time. In a top club, and we see it also with us, you don’t have the time to build.
Russell Martin takes Rangers training ahead of the second leg of their play-off
The Rangers players face a mammoth task to turn around the tie after losing 3-1 last week
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen has sympathy for his opposite number, Martin
‘You need results. It depends on how calm the board is, whether they give you the time to build or not.
‘Of course, the results are not in his favour at the moment, but Russell is a good manager and he needs time. It is up to the club if they decide to give him the time or not.
‘I hope they do from next weekend onwards, but not tomorrow. I like him very much, but not tomorrow.’
Hayen’s side were hugely impressive in the first leg in Glasgow last week, racing into a 3-0 lead after just 20 minutes.
Rangers fought back in the second half and pulled a goal back through Danilo, but they are huge underdogs now against a team who reached the last 16 of last season’s Champions League.
It promises to be a huge week for Martin, with the under-fire manager then facing Celtic in his first Old Firm clash on Sunday afternoon.
‘I expect a team that has nothing to lose,’ added Hayen. ‘Like a little bit the second half in Glasgow, that they go all in, that they go full and try to score as quick as possible to come again in the game.
‘This is something that we have to be aware of. We want the players to be there from the first whistle.
‘We are going to play our game like we did over there. Try to score that goal. Of course, the results are not in Russell’s favour.
‘There is also a big game coming up at the weekend against Celtic. We hope that we can score. This starts to plant some doubt. What is the most important? Go for the Champions League or winning the Old Firm?”
‘It will be a tough game but we have prepared well and we feel ready.’
