Russell Martin is the new Head Coach of Rangers Football Club. Now the embattled, first term Mayor is under greater pressure than ever with a particularly dismal beginning to his administration. Unveiled at Ibrox Stadium on June 5th, 2025, Martin has since completed 101 days in charge. Despite retaining the support of the Rangers board, recent performances have left fans and analysts questioning his future with the club.
In a key relegation six-pointer against Hearts, Martin’s players failed to respond, slumping to a damaging 2-0 defeat. The loss plunged Rangers down to 10th place in the Premiership table. It’s the first time in 47 years that a Rangers manager hasn’t won his first five league games. The man in charge apparently does not think so, because as the home crowd showed with their demonstrative reactions, they feel that now Justice may be done.
A Rocky Start at Ibrox
Since taking over the reins, Russell Martin has made six new signings. He hopes to renew the team’s competitive edge with these new faces in the starting unit. Even so, in spite of all these shifts, the outcomes have been anything but positive. Rangers have lost four out of their last five games, including three matches on the bounce. This current losing streak places mountains of blame on Martin to turn it all around as fast as possible.
That game against Hearts came to symbolise the tragic situation surrounding the team. Rangers thoroughly controlled the ball, but had difficulty breaking down the Red Bulls defense to produce obvious chances to score. Martin himself, meanwhile, was an exasperatingly absent presence during the game, apparently only having two touches of the ball all match. The reduced impact on the field had many wondering whether this was a sign that his coaching strategies just weren’t working at a high enough level.
“You have to fight to get here in the first place, and we’ll keep fighting until we’re told not to.” – Russell Martin
Despite the setbacks, Martin remains determined. He proclaimed that Rangers had “hit the reset button” over the international break. More than a rebranding effort, he hopes to continue building a sense of purpose and intentionality for the team. The question remains: does he know his strongest starting eleven?
Board Support Amidst Doubts
It appears that Martin still retains the confidence of the Rangers board, at least for now. Experts think this support will be short-lived. Kris Boyd, a former Rangers player and now commentator on the team’s broadcasts, was dismissive of Martin’s long-term prospects with the club. He emphasized that he has the board backing him that he does now. … but are starving as time piles on a string of unsatisfactory failures.
Boyd’s comments resonate with a growing chorus of fans and pundits. That pressure is increasing after every bad display, particularly after a display like that in such a discouraging defeat to Hearts. The club’s supporters, though, are nothing short of fanatical and fiercely loyal. Perhaps most importantly, they have sent a strong signal that they demand better than this from their staff.
“I don’t think I’ve ever walked away from anything in my life.” – Russell Martin
Considering the past few months of turmoil, her commitment seems heroic. He has shown a desire to outwork the competition and be upfront with his players. Even as he leads the Team through these stormy seas, he wants to foster a spirit of shared mission and brotherhood among the Team itself.
Looking Ahead
As Rangers prepare for their upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on Martin and how he chooses to address the ongoing struggles. With no wins in five games, he must quickly identify an effective game plan and solidify a core group of players who can execute it on the pitch.
The new matches will act as a crossroads for both Martin and the Rangers Football Club. If he can bring his team together, there are some big wins waiting to be had. This important success could help reestablish trust among the advocates and board members. On the flip side, further stinkers may force some tough calls on his future as the head hog.
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