The ill-fated Russell Martin ‘era’ at Rangers looks set to come to a swift conclusion, with reports indicating the former Scotland defender has agreed to depart after this afternoon's drab 1-1 draw away to newly promoted Falkirk. A match that seen the club set a new record for consecutive away matches conceded in, with the Bairn's equaliser making it 23 matches in a row.
The former Southampton boss was spoken to by a Rangers director, reportedly CEO Patrick Stewart at full time today outside the dressing room at the Falkirk Stadium, where he was told he would not continue in the role. The players were informed afterwards inside the dressing room.
Martin would then depart separate from the squad, who left on the team bus under heavy police escort after a group of fans blocked the bus in, under the protection of police horses, sentinelling the end of his Ibrox tenure in a similar way to Jim Goodwin’s 2023 departure from Aberdeen at Easter Road.
His departure will come under the guise of a mutual agreement, which would seem best for all parties, with Martin looking a shadow of himself post-match today.
Martin, appointed on June 5th of this year, departs after 121 days at Ibrox, just under half of Paul Le Guen’s 240 days in charge in 2006, and just over half of Pedro Caixinha’s 227 days in 2017. He won just five of his 17 matches in charge with a win percentage of just 29.4%, the lowest of any permanent Rangers boss ever. Statistically the worst manager we have ever had.
Martin was quizzed on his future post match: "[Pressure at] this club is intensified and the scrutiny is much higher. The noise is much louder” he said.
“Every draw we've had has felt like a defeat because of the stature of this club and what it means and what we have to try and fight for.”
On whether he had a future at the club he said: “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.”
“I can't dictate whether that changes or not. So that's out of control for me. I have to just try and focus on winning football matches."
He was asked why he still felt he could take the team forward, despite the results: "Because of what I see every day with the players, how invested they are in it, how hard they run” was his response.
“If I felt any differently, I would feel differently here [points at his heart]. It probably wouldn't hurt as much, but I know they're really trying, really, really trying and the staff have been amazing."
However, it does not look like he will get the opportunity to try and win matches moving forward, as his failure to do so thus far has seen the support reach breaking point, and the board finally forced to act.
Throughout the match the supporters chanted at the head coach, cries of “Martin, Martin GTF” and “Russell Martin, get out of our club” went on during the match, and just as they did at Livingston last week, did not even subside when the club were ahead, to which he responded by saying: “I have got pretty used to it over the last few weeks - it's certainly character building."
Despite the rumoured mutual agreement to depart Martin was adamant he would not walk away at full time, when asked if he would step down, he said: “No because I believe I can [turn it around]. I believe I can.”
I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I knew it probably wasn't going to be quick. But we're a club which patience is not a word that is used.”
“I believed that at every club I've been at, and it's led me to here now. So, I have to accept responsibility. And we have to try and learn and really grow through these moments”.
Despite his press conference coming after his supposed talks with the board he denied that any talks about his removal had been had, or that any would be forthcoming, when asked on any potential talks over his future he said: “Not that I know of, we [the board] talk after every game, so I expect to have a chat with them.
“I felt nothing but support in the last week and more so than ever actually with some of the conversations we've had, so I can't really give you a better answer than that."
An announcement is expected to be made tomorrow, with an interim boss to take training, possibly
Stevie Smith, during the international break until a permanent replacement is found.