RUSSELL MARTIN, the new Rangers boss, has nightmare memories of Celtic during his 17 appearances on loan at Ibrox in 2018.
The Scotland international centre-back was brought in by caretaker gaffer Graeme Murty on a short-term deal from Norwich City to help bolster his team’s defence.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had already won the League Cup after beating Motherwell 2-0 in the showpiece at Hampden in November and the Irishman had his sight on the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup to complete his second successive treble.
ANGUISH AT THE DOUBLE…Russell Martin (right) can’t prevent Odsonne Edouard scoring the second goal or (below) Callum McGregor the final strike in Celtic’s 5-0 derby triumph to seal their seventh successive title in season 2017/18.
Martin was pitched in against the Hoops in the semi-final of the national competition on April 15 and it was a baptism of fire for the defender.
The holders won 4-0 with strikes from Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor, Moussa Dembele (pen) and Olivier Ntcham (pen) on their way to once again beating the Fir Park outfit in the grand finale a month later by an identical 2-0 scoreline.
As Martin attempted to clear his head after that thumping, he was back in the middle of the rearguard just a fortnight later for the match in the east end of Glasgow where the hosts were just one win away from claiming their seventh successive crown.
The back-four operator may have thought it couldn’t get any worse – but it could for the new Govan team chief!
Celtic romped to a 5-0 success and once again Martin was left bedraggled, befuddled and beaten as Odsonne Edouard (2), James Forrest, Rogic and McGregor piled on the agony as Paradise rocked.
Martin returned to Carrow Road the following month and interim boss Murty was removed from the dug-out.
Welcome back to Glasgow, Russell!
