Rangers don announce say dem don relieve Russell Martin of him coaching job after only 123 days for Ibrox. The 39-year-old coach comot hours after the Gers draw 1-1 with newly-promoted Falkirk for the Scottish Premiership, and the pressure from fans finally boil over.
After the match, angry supporters block the team bus outside Falkirk Stadium and police escort Martin away inside separate car.
Martin admit say there “no excuses” and him leave the club after guiding them to only one win in seven opening league games — a start that match Rangers’ worst-ever beginning at this stage of a campaign.
The appointment of Martin bin controversial from the start and the coach himself warn say e get “huge” challenge to win supporters over.
Across all competitions, Martin win just five of 17 matches (29.4%) and Rangers make statement say “results have not met the club’s expectations.”
The club also confirm assistant head coach Matt Gill and first-team coach Mike Williamson go leave too.
Club Statement on Departure
For Sunday night, Rangers release official line: “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.”
When Martin leave, Rangers sit eighth in the Premiership table — 11 points behind leaders Hearts and nine points adrift of rivals Celtic.
Timeline of Russell Martin’s 123-Day Rangers Reign
June 5: Rangers announce Russell Martin appointment on a three-year deal. He come in as permanent successor to Philippe Clement, with Barry Ferguson having managed the team temporarily earlier in the year.
July 22–30: Martin start with Champions League qualifying success — 2-0 home win vs Panathinaikos, then 1-1 away to seal 3-1 aggregate.
August 2: First league weekend, Rangers draw 1-1 with Motherwell at Fir Park after late equaliser for the hosts. Martin criticise player mentality and egos after the match.
August 5: Rangers show “amazing energy” to beat Viktoria Plzen 3-0 first leg in Champions League qualifying. New signing Djeidi Gassama score twice on full home debut.
August 9: Rangers draw 1-1 with Dundee at Ibrox — first time since 1989 the club start season without win in first two league fixtures. James Tavernier score 92nd-minute penalty to rescue point for 10-man Gers.
August 12: Rangers progress from Champions League third qualifying round 4-2 on aggregate despite 2-1 second-leg defeat in Czech Republic — Plzen score winner in 83rd minute.
August 16: Cup game vs Alloa Athletic end 4-2, Rangers reach League Cup quarter-final but defensive issues show.
August 19: First-leg Champions League playoff nightmare — Rangers concede three in 20 minutes and lose 3-1 at Ibrox to Club Brugge. Martin admit game plan “went out the window” as anxiety and desperation creep in.
August 24: Rangers come from behind to draw 1-1 at St Mirren, but this result keep Rangers’ worst league start alive. Also, striker Hamza Igaagne (now at Lille) reportedly tell Martin say him injured and refuse to come on as substitute — dressing room tension surface.
August 27: Humiliating 6-0 defeat in Belgium to Club Brugge in second leg — Rangers crash out of Champions League playoffs with 9-1 aggregate. Fan anger escalate and many supporters lose faith in Martin.
August 30: Surprising 0-0 draw with Celtic at Ibrox gives brief respite, but four draws from four leave Rangers adrift of the top and fans restless.
September 13: Rangers lose 2-0 at home to Hearts, Martin become first Rangers boss in 47 years to fail to win any of first five league games.
September 20: Rangers beat Hibernian 2-0 to reach League Cup semi-final and end six-game winless run — but home fan protests target both Martin and CEO Patrick Stewart after the win.
September 25: Genk beat Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox in Europa League opening League Phase fixture — Hyeon-Gyu Oh haunts his former club and pressure mount.
September 28: Rangers finally win a league game — dramatic 2-1 victory at Livingston thanks to Max Aarons 94th-minute winner. That be Martin’s fifth and final victory in charge.
October 2: Rangers lose 2-1 away to Sturm Graz in Europa League — the club concede for the 23rd away match in a row across competitions, beating an unwanted record from the 1890s. Social media video show fans confronting club chiefs — the crisis deepen.
October 5: After 1-1 draw at Falkirk, fan protests explode outside the ground; Martin escorted away by police to avoid confrontation. Club board move quickly and sack Martin the same day.
Why Martin’s Reign Collapse So Fast
Martin face multiple issues: poor league start, heavy European defeats, defensive frailties and clear disconnect between fans and coaching staff. The 6-0 aggregate humiliation to Club Brugge and the long run of away goals conceded were particularly damaging to the club’s trust in the project.
Inside reports suggest transition from previous regime never settle, some players reportedly unhappy with selection and messaging, while fan protests made the job almost impossible. The combination of poor results and growing unrest forced the board’s hand.
What Next for Rangers?
Rangers confirm they will provide further updates in due course. With Martin and both assistants departing, the club must now find a new head coach quickly to steady the ship.
The board will also need to address supporter unrest and the glaring defensive problems if Rangers want to salvage the season and close the gap on Hearts and Celtic.
