An Exclusive Interview with Kris Boyd

Kris Boyd is a former professional footballer turned Sky Sports pundit who played for Rangers, Middlesbrough, Kilmarnock and Portland Timbers, making 543 club appearances, earning 18 caps for Scotland, and scoring 252 career goals. He spoke exclusively to Best New Bingo Sites on the 26th of August 2025.

Q: It’s been about as tough a start to the season as possible for Rangers. Can you see what Russell Martin is trying to do? Does he deserve time to bed down his style and methods?

KB: “It’s not the start that Russell Martin would have wanted at Rangers. The start of their league campaign has been nowhere near good enough. Three points from three games is borderline unacceptable. I think there were a couple of signs in the early stages of Europe where Martin might have thought his team was clicking, as they got some positive results, but they need to find some consistency now.

“Once they find some consistency, then the manager can start implementing his style of play a little bit more, but at the moment, results are key. Rangers look miles away from being able to challenge Celtic, especially over the course and distance of a season. They almost need to forget about the big picture for now and focus on the upcoming games and weeks, where they need to put together a string of good results and then start thinking about how they can eventually close the gap to Celtic.”

Q: Are you confident Russell Martin will get it right and, crucially, will he be given the time to get it right?

KB: “Everyone is always so quick to judge a manager nowadays, and fans turn on them so quickly. There’s no doubt that managing in Glasgow is one of the worst places in the world for that reason as well. If you aren’t winning while managing a team in Glasgow, then you are under severe pressure and scrutiny immediately.

“Rangers haven’t been winning for several years now, so whoever comes in the manage the team doesn’t get much of a grace period before the pressure mounts. This is going to be a long process for Rangers to rebuild and get back to where the fans want them to be. The club chose Russell Martin as the manager and knew exactly what they were getting with his style of play, and it will take time to see the benefits of his philosophies.

“It was never going to be a quick fix, but Rangers still have to be beating teams like St Mirren, Motherwell and Dundee at home. I don’t think Europe is as big an issue for Rangers as people are making out. They got through the first few rounds and now they find themselves losing to a good but not excellent Club Brugge team, who have been more established than Rangers in Europe over the past few years.

“Rangers are a work in progress, and they need to sort out their squad before the end of the transfer window. It feels bloated at the moment, and they need to sign some more players with quality that can help them kick-start their season domestically. Rangers are struggling to break teams down. The tempo they are playing needs to be lifted because it’s holding them back from beating teams they should be putting to the sword.

“It’s up to Russell Martin now to find the balance between what he wants to do with the squad eventually and what needs to be done right now to win games of football. He needs to get the fans on side as soon as possible and then introduce his style a bit more when the squad has more confidence.”

Q: Rangers is a huge football club. Do you think he looks out of his depth as Rangers manager? Has he underestimated the SPFL?

KB: “I don’t think Russell has underestimated the league. However, when teams play Rangers and Celtic, they lift their performances because players see it as an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window to be considered for a move to the two biggest clubs in Scotland. They’re always on TV, and every player wants to impress to try and progress their career eventually.

“At the moment, it seems too easy for players to play against Rangers. We can’t shy away from the fact that Rangers haven’t put in a good performance for 90 minutes yet in the league this season, and that’s a big problem. However, once they were 1-0 down against St Mirren at the weekend, they did start playing with an urgency and really attacking, which was positive to see. But it would have been better to see that from kick-off.

“There’s a lot of negativity flying around at the moment when it comes to Rangers, and Russell needs a couple of big performances and wins to relieve the pressure on himself. Only then will his job get easier. I don’t think the club will be thinking about sacking him, so he needs to buy himself time, get results and then worry about what performances look like and potentially winning trophies. If Rangers’ form doesn’t turn soon, I’m afraid it could get ugly.”

Q: Is Russell Martin the biggest issue at Ibrox, or is it the players? Are there enough players in the squad who respect the badge and know the history of the club?

KB: “Rangers have had a lot of managers in recent years, and one of the byproducts of a lot of managers is that the squad becomes bloated. Russell has probably come in as manager and looked at some of these players and doesn’t see a future for them at Rangers, but the club hasn’t sold them yet.

“Rangers need some stability and some outgoings for now, then see where it takes them. They will have an end goal in sight with Russell Martin. Everyone knows the type of manager that he is, and he isn’t going to change his style long term. The club are clearly willing to be patient, but they need to win games of football.

“The Rangers fans are fickle. When things are going well, they are with you all the way, but when sticky patches take place, they can turn on you fast. A few good signings and a few wins in the next couple of weeks could really turn around the way everyone is feeling about the club, and that is on both the manager and the players to dig deep over the next few games.

“At the moment, fans will be looking at this appointment and comparing it to previous managers. Rangers at least got some kind of new manager bounce before things turned sour with those appointments. However, that hasn’t happened this time, and fans need to be a bit more forward-thinking, but they understandably lack patience. It’s hard to envision where the bad times end and start to turn around for Rangers.

“With the takeover, everyone seems to be just finding their feet around the club, and the culture within the whole club has to change if Rangers want sustainable improvement. There’s no getting away from it, the club have decided Russell is the way to go and there are great players in that dressing room which can turn this start to the season around, but they also need to bring a handful of players in to bolster the squad and challenge Celtic.”

Q: Would you be surprised if Russell Martin lost his job in the next week or so if Rangers get knocked out of Europe and/or lose heavily to Celtic?

KB: “I would be very surprised if they lost patience and sacked him so soon. Russell isn’t a quick-fix manager, and the club will have known that before bringing him in, so they will give him time. How much time? I’m not exactly sure, but it would be far too sudden to potentially sack him next week.

“There’s no disgrace in losing to Club Brugge in the Champions League; they have performed well in Europe over the past few years. However, what is concerning is the manner in which they lost to them last week. That opening 20 minutes at Ibrox in the first leg was unacceptable.

“They have to go and correct that in the second leg, even if they don’t win, they have to give a good account of themselves. They must show the fans that there is improvement there, and if they get themselves back into the game, then brilliant. Rangers have the safety net of the Europa League there, and to be honest, that is about their level at the moment.

“The financial side of the Champions League would certainly help accelerate the rebuild process for us, but unfortunately, sometimes you have to walk before you can run. Right now, it’s baby steps for Rangers, starting with improved performances on the pitch, a few new signings and beating Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.

“All Rangers fans will be looking forward to the Old Firm, and a win on Sunday would buy Russell some grace. Despite finishing a long way off Celtic last season, Rangers still managed to perform well in the derbies. These performances matter because once you feel like you can beat Celtic, it’s much easier to start beating the other teams in the league, and those are the matches that drag you closer to them. Then the Old Firm decides who wins the title.

“Sunday is a huge game to gauge where the players and manager are at, but even if they lose, I can’t see them sacking Russell Martin.”

Q: How much do you think Rangers would receive for Hamza Igamane now, given Russell Martin’s comments last weekend? Will Igamane’s refusal to play reduce the price they can fetch for him?

KB: “I think Hamza Igamane’s refusal to play could definitely reduce his price tag. I don’t buy that he was injured, he was warming up fine before the game and during the first half. I was surprised that the manager addressed it so openly after the game. The club has clearly rejected a bid for him, and Igamane has his heart set on leaving the club.

“However, Rangers still employ him; therefore, he should still give his all for the club. But refusing to play seems to be the ‘in thing’ at the moment. I don’t think it’s a good image for the player, he certainly isn’t on the level of Alexander Isak, and clubs will notice this behaviour when assessing him in the future.

“It changes the whole perspective on how fans will remember him as a player. It shows a lack of respect for the football club, everything it stands for and what the club represents. Rangers took a chance on Igamane and gave him an opportunity. I know he is clearly just frustrated that his move away is taking longer than he anticipated, but he is a player who could have come on and made a difference at the weekend. If he came on and scored the bid for him may have even increased to a price that Rangers are willing to accept.

“I’m not sure Russell should have aired the situation out in public like he did because that could reduce the price they may get for Igamane. But it’s done now, and clearly the player has something in the pipeline he is trying to force through.”

Q: Have you ever been in a squad where a situation like Hamza’s has arisen, and what can it do to the team? Especially when Rangers are already struggling this season.

KB: “Situations like players refusing to play never help a squad. These things happen all the time in football clubs on the training ground, and players pretending to be injured to be left out of squads. However, a public situation like what happened with Igamane on Sunday is much rarer and will put even more strain on the squad.

“He claimed to be injured, that’s highly unlikely in my eyes. He was protecting himself from potential injury on the pitch and trying to force through a move. It is a problem that the club didn’t need, but they are now facing. However, it created the opportunity for Findlay Curtis to come and score the equaliser for Rangers. But players in the squad won’t like refusing to play in a public setting, so I’m sure there will have been a few of the senior players with a few words to say to him this week.

“The situation is best resolved by Igamane leaving the club, which is sad because it shows that refusing to play works, but Rangers can’t afford any more distractions at the moment.”

Q: Cyriel Dessers could also be on his way out, too. Do you think Rangers should consider a move for Hibs striker Kieron Bowie?

KB: “Kieron Bowie has made a brilliant start to the season, and I am always an advocate for Rangers signing young Scottish talent, so I would be surprised if they didn’t look at bringing him in. Rangers haven’t done enough of this type of recruitment in recent years. Rangers will certainly be keeping an eye on such a promising player, but his price tag will have inflated a bit now after such a good start to the season for him.

“Hibs are not in any financial trouble, and they have European football to focus on qualifying for this week; therefore, they do not need to sell Kieron. But I think he would be an exciting signing for Rangers if they did get him, and they definitely need a striker before the window is closed.”

Q: Do Rangers need to do more business in the transfer window before it shuts? Especially as they are expected to have a few more outgoings before the end of the window. Where do you think they need to invest?

KB: “There’s no doubt that Rangers need multiple signings before the transfer window closes. They wanted Conor Coady, and that never materialised, but they still could do with a centre back to shore up the defence. Rangers also let two left-backs leave the club, and they have brought in a promising talent in Jayden Meghoma, but he can’t be expected to play every minute of every game, so left back is a key area.

“Up front is the most important area for me, though. Rangers need to sign at least one striker, especially if both Igamane and Cyriel Dessers are going to be allowed to leave the club. Danilo has a poor injury record, so he can’t lead the line all season in my mind.

“Therefore, signing a striker is a main priority for Rangers. They may have to spend serious money if they want somebody capable of transforming the team, but I’d expect the manager would be keen on improving this area of the team. I think if they get the right man, spending the money is no problem, but it must be someone who wants to be at the club and give everything for the badge.”

Q: 18-year-old Findlay Curtis has made a great start to the season for Rangers, he has three goals already this term. What is there to like about Curtis’ performances so far, and how good could he potentially be?

KB: “I think it’s amazing to see a young player like Findlay Curtis getting a chance with the first team, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Rangers have a great academy full of talent, and it’s nice to see them getting an opportunity to train and get around the first team.

“Findlay is a player who you can tell works ever so hard, and he is getting rewarded for his hard work. You can tell he’s a good kid, and he is enjoying where his career is at the moment. He could end up having to go out on loan this season if he wants regular minutes, but he won’t be worrying about that now. Right now, Rangers need him off the bench, and he has contributed with three goals.

“Crucially for Rangers, he is a great example of a great pathway between the academy and the first team, which is extremely important. It gives all the other academy players a boost as they can see it is possible if they work hard, opportunities will come. They will have been training with Findlay last season or even done preseason with him, and now he has three goals for the first team. This is a huge positive for the club when there hasn’t been too much to celebrate as of late.”

Q: Old Firm Derby Prediction: Could a big Derby win take the pressure off the players and Martin and provide them with something to build on?

KB: “If Rangers are going to get anything on Sunday, they are going to have to be a vastly different team from what they have been recently. It’ll be interesting to see how both teams get on in Europe ahead of the game, as both teams will feel like they can improve.

“Celtic have settled into the season much better than Rangers, but coming to Ibrox will be intimidating for them, so the game will be tighter than what people expect. I’d expect to see Rangers’ most positive performance of the season on Sunday.

“Whatever happens, Rangers must find a positive result overwise the pressure will just intensify on Russell Martin and his players. It’s a huge game that could potentially get the fans off their back if they win it.”

Q: Who should Rangers start at striker against Celtic?

KB: “That decision will be made once the manager sees who gets through the game against Club Brugge midweek. However, I don’t think Thelo Aasgaard playing in the false nine worked at all against St Mirren at the weekend, so I don’t think we will see that again.

“There are rumours that Dessers might be back fit for the Old Firm, and I think if that is the case, you have to play him. It’s a key position for Rangers at the weekend, they need a strong performance from whoever plays up top on Sunday, as chances may be hard to come by.”

Q: What will Celtic be thinking leading up to this weekend? Do you think they could become complacent after Rangers’ start to the season?

KB: “I don’t think so, I would be shocked if a below-par Celtic came to the Ibrox at the weekend. Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, have been very consistent, and they always find a level of performance that wins them games, which Rangers haven’t found yet this season. Rodgers made a few changes to his starting eleven last weekend, and they still put in a great performance, which proves how well-rounded their squad is at the moment.

“Celtic will be thinking they want to come into the Old Firm at the weekend and stamp their authority over Rangers and potentially have one hand on the title before the end of August. Rangers have performed well in these games recently, but this is definitely a more important fixture for Russell Martin rather than Brendan Rodgers.”

Q: Middlesbrough have won three from three to start the Championship season. What have you made of their performances so far?

KB: “It’s been a brilliant start for Middlesbrough, three wins from three, it doesn’t get any better than that. Especially when you consider the stuttering start some of the clubs everyone expected to do well have had. I’m sure Middlesbrough will still be disappointed with how last season finished, not even making the playoffs in the end, but they will be extremely happy with the start to this season.

“I think things became a little bit stale with Michael Carrick in charge, so the club did the right thing moving on. Rob Edwards couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to the season apart from the disappointing loss to Doncaster in the League Cup. They have a few big games coming up, starting with Sheffield United this weekend, who are looking to get their season back on track after a poor start.

“But everyone around the club will be feeling great about how this season could go.”

Q: What did you make of the Rob Edwards appointment when it was first announced, compared to now, after a perfect start to the season?

KB: “I think the appointment of Rob Edwards has been a good one. The club know exactly what they are getting with him, and he will play some nice football and win games, which is exactly what they need.

“He guided Luton to the Premier League, so there is no reason why he can’t do the same with Middlesbrough. It’s safe to say he’ll have the crowd on side now, he’ll be looking to keep winning and generate a brilliant atmosphere at the Riverside week in, week out. The city will soon be buzzing with excitement if the results continue, which is brilliant for the club.”

Q: Will the club and the fans be expecting promotion this season?

KB: “I think after the start of this season, both fans and people involved with the football club will be dreaming of the Premier League. The club has the infrastructure and everything in place for Middlesbrough to be a Premier League club, but the players and manager just need to achieve it on the pitch.

“They are definitely ahead of a lot of the other clubs who will be battling for promotion come the end of the season. But there is a long way to go, so the players will be staying grounded. There have been plenty of seasons like this for Middlesbrough before that have been positive but fizzled out in the end, so they will just keep grinding out results. The aim will be the playoffs, but if they win the next three or four games, automatic promotion becomes a real possibility.

“They have a few big games coming up, but why not allow fans to dream of the Premier League? A huge club like Middlesbrough should always be there or thereabouts in the Premier League, so I hope they go up this season.”

Q: The Scotland squad for the next World Cup qualifiers was announced yesterday. What do you make of the squad?

KB: “I think it looks like a well-rounded squad. It’s good to see Aaron Hickey back in the squad, as he has had some terrible luck with injuries over the past few years at Brentford. It’s nice to see some young players like Ben Gannon-Doak and Kieron Bowie getting opportunities to be with the squad and potentially get some minutes.

“I think Steve Clarke will be relatively happy with where the squad is at. But it is a results-driven sport, and Scotland must win games and qualify for the World Cup. These upcoming games are crucial for qualification, and if they get two wins, they will be in a strong position to qualify. The squad Steve has is more than capable of winning those games, and I’m excited to watch the qualifiers.”

Q: Ben Gannon-Doak returns to the squad after injury, and he has now transferred from Liverpool to Bournemouth. What do you like about this young talent? How key is he to the future of Scottish football?

KB: “Ben Gannon-Doak is a player who gets you off your seat, and that’s exactly what Scotland needs. He’s an extremely talented young man with great dribbling skills. He loves to run at defenders and turn fullbacks, which has become a forgotten art for wingers in recent years.

“Wingers nowadays always seem to go backwards and keep possession rather than square up their man and risk losing it. I can’t wait to see what he can do now that he’s back in the national side, and Bournemouth have signed an unbelievable talent. Scotland haven’t had much pace up top for years now, and this lad has bucket loads, so he is sure to get fans off their seat.”

Q: What would you do with Alexander Isak if you were Newcastle? Would you let him go or let him rot in the reserves?

KB: “When you are a club and you have a player as talented as Alexander Isak, then clubs are always going to be interested in them. I hate the way it has played out. I don’t think it is right at all. There has obviously been contact of some form between Newcastle and Liverpool, but if Newcastle don’t like the number or doesn’t want to sell Isak, then they don’t have to. But the way Isak has acted is disgraceful.

“He has ruined his reputation as a brilliant player who played a huge part in Newcastle’s first trophy for 56 years. Newcastle has a fantastic fan base who worship their heroes, even if they leave the club, and Isak has destroyed his relationship with everyone at Newcastle. He’s still employed by Newcastle, so he should still be training with the team and playing while he remains a Newcastle player.

“But there is no way back for Isak now, so Newcastle will have to sell him or let him rot in the reserves, which is unlikely given the value of the player. I feel sorry for Eddie Howe and all the other players because it will affect everyone in the squad. If he did come back into the team, the players would accept him as he is one of the best strikers in the world, but the fans will never forgive him. The situation needs resolving as soon as possible, and it probably ends with him moving to Liverpool.”

Q: Who do you expect to do the best out of the Premier League’s new strikers? Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Šeško or Viktor Gyökeres?

KB: “There’s a lot to like about Hugo Ekitike. He’s had a fast start to his Liverpool career; he links up play well and can clearly finish, given that he has scored two goals in his first two Premier League matches. However, my concern with Ekitike is that Liverpool are looking to sign a new striker, so game time could quickly become limited for him or more inconsistent. Generally, Mohamed Salah plays almost every minute, and the rest of the forwards rotate around him. Once Europe starts, I imagine Ekitike’s minutes will be reduced, but when he plays, he will score.

“I have always been a huge fan of Viktor Gyökeres, and I believe that he will have the most success out of these three players. I have been a fan of his since he was at Coventry, and the way he has been firing in goals for Sporting over the past few years has been incredible to see.

“That kind of form was always going to earn him a move to a big club, and he’s landed at Arsenal, which I think is a great club for him. If you look at the size of him, he’s an absolute animal of a striker, a proper powerhouse to lead the line for a club that has been short of a striker for years. He will play the majority of games for Arsenal this season if he stays fit, and I fancy him to score plenty of goals. He got off the mark last weekend, and I expect him to kick on from there.

“Benjamin Šeško is in a slightly tougher situation. Man United have signed some brilliant attacking talent in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, but I think they will be more selfish and create more chances for themselves rather than looking for Šeško all the time. Therefore, I think Šeško may take a little bit longer to get going, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he notched a goal soon, if he plays against Burnley at the weekend. He is a top-quality player, but he might need some time to settle into the Premier League.”

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