A Promising Start That Quickly Fell Apart
In the summer, Russell Martin was a surprise appointment as Rangers head coach, beating out high-profile contenders like Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo Ancelotti. His presentation reportedly “knocked it out of the park,” convincing Rangers' new owners he was the man to lead the club forward.
That glowing first impression would be the highlight of his short-lived reign.
17 Games, No Progress, No Hope
Martin became the fourth Rangers manager in under three years to be sacked, following the exits of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and Philippe Clement. Unlike his predecessors, Martin had nothing to show — no trophies, no memorable wins, and not even signs of tactical or player improvement.
In fact, when asked to highlight any positives during his tenure, he couldn’t name a single thing. And neither could the fans.
On-Pitch Disasters and Fan Revolt
Rangers endured embarrassing draws against Falkirk, Motherwell, Dundee, St Mirren, and Celtic under Martin’s leadership. European nights brought even worse: crushing defeats to Brugge (6–0 and 3–1) and Sturm Graz.
Each match felt like “fingernails down a blackboard,” as Martin’s excuses flowed like lava — blaming everything from artificial turf to deflected goals to player anxiety. What he never blamed was himself.
Supporters responded with boos, banners, and protests, with one particularly hostile scene requiring a police escort to remove Martin from Falkirk Stadium after yet another dreadful result.
A Disconnect with the Dressing Room
Martin's decisions further alienated the squad and supporters alike. He dropped club captain James Tavernier in favor of loanee Max Aarons, benched Nico Raskin for weeks due to internal issues, and took far too long to resolve tactical confusion and dressing room tension.
None of it would have mattered if results improved — but they didn’t.
Owners, Recruitment, and a Club in Crisis
While Russell Martin became the fall guy, many fans point higher up the chain. The club's £40 million summer spend yielded poor signings and zero impact. Kevin Thelwell (sporting director) and Patrick Stewart (chief executive) orchestrated the transfer deals — and are now in the spotlight as frustration turns their way.
To make matters worse, Thelwell is bringing in his son Robbie as head of recruitment, and Nathan Fisher joins as head scout. With nepotism whispers and fan anger mounting, the new backroom setup already feels under siege.
Another Manager Down — What’s Next for Rangers?
The Rangers board now returns to the drawing board. Again. A new manager, a new vision — but the same burning questions: Can they finally get it right? Will the next man fare any better in this volatile Ibrox cauldron?
With the club 13 points behind Celtic, the pressure is immense.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Mismanagement
Russell Martin's reign will go down as one of the most chaotic managerial tenures in Rangers history. But he wasn’t the only problem. Rangers' issues are systemic — from the top down. Unless leadership changes course, any future manager will inherit the same mess Martin was expected to clean up.
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