Russell Martin needed a significant police police presence to whisk him safely away from Falkirk’s ground after his Rangers team were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw, heaping more pressure on beleaguered boss. The Glasgow club have had a shocking start to the season and Martin has since been sacked, per new reporting.
Martin sacked after dismal draw
Rangers’ draw with Falkirk intensified pressure on Martin, and Sky Sports now report that the ex-Southampton boss has indeed been sacked. The result leaves Rangers languishing in eighth place in the table and a mammoth 11 points behind league leaders Hearts and nine points behind fierce rivals Celtic, having played seven matches. This draw follows a 2-1 defeat by Sturm Graz in the Europa League in midweek. Fans vented their anger by directing chants towards Martin during and after the match, clearly frustrated as Rangers have secured only five wins in his seventeen matches in charge. Martin has maintained that the team is improving, attributing the poor results to factors like difficult pitches and a young squad still developing. However, on Sunday evening, Sky reports that the axe has fallen, and Martin has been put out of his misery.
AdvertisementRangers' statement
Rangers said: "Rangers Football Club confirms that it has parted company with Head Coach, Russell Martin.
"While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club's expectations. Assistant Head Coach, Matt Gill, and First-Team Coach, Mike Williamson, will also be departing.
"Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future. Further updates from the club will follow in due course."
Quick escape to avoid the fans
Martin required the escort after angry Rangers fans gathered outside Falkirk’s stadium after the match, blocking the team bus and expressing their dissatisfaction with Martin's performance as manager. The police intervened to disperse the crowd and ensure the safe departure of players and staff. Martin was escorted from a separate exit and left in a different vehicle.
Martin knows performances must improve
Following the match, the Rangers boss took time to reflect on his team's performance, he said: "The team, ultimately, is a reflection on me and it has to be better and do better so I need to take responsibility and look at that myself. You'd have to ask the people above me, I feel that the players and the staff are really behind me. I felt really supported by everyone else above me as well, and I can't dictate whether that changes or not. I have to just try to focus on winning football matches, because of what I see every day with the players, how invested they are in it, how hard they run. If I felt any differently, I would feel differently here. It probably wouldn't hurt as much, but I know they're really trying."