Russell Martin ‘already under pressure’ at Rangers as damning stat emerges
Russell Martin has overseen a far-from-satisfactory start to life as Rangers boss in the Scottish Premiership.
After the Bears were held to a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday, 9 August, Rangers supporters were left furious with Martin.
The Light Blues had already suffered a setback in their opening league game of the season, drawing 1-1 at Motherwell on 2 August.
Although Rangers’ Scottish Premiership season is just two games old, every point dropped will matter as bitter rivals Celtic vie to lift their fifth consecutive title.
Martin concern emerges as Rangers encounter 36-year low
The 49ers Enterprises are battling to achieve top-flight glory in their first season in the Rangers ownership helm.
However, Martin’s domestic exploits have already proven that he is struggling to adjust to the high-pressure demands of the Glaswegian giants.
The former Southampton boss struggled with the Saints in the Premier League last term, and the 39-year-old’s failings have ensured that Rangers have failed to win either of their opening two league games for the first time in 36 years.
Unless Martin can turn his side’s fortunes around quickly, he appears unlikely to last a whole Scottish Premiership campaign.
Champions League exploits may not be enough to save Martin
Like last season, Rangers’ European performances have papered over the cracks amid poor domestic showings.
| Opponent | Result |
| Motherwell (A) | 1-1 D |
| Viktoria Plzen (H) | 3-0 W |
| Dundee (H) | 1-1 D |
Martin deserves credit for steering the Gers past the challenge posed by Greek outfit Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying, before the Ibrox giants showed their attacking class as they beat Viktoria Plzen 3-0 on Tuesday, 5 August.
However, achieving domestic success is the main priority for the former Southampton boss, especially after Rangers failed to win any silverware last season.
Unless the Bears can stun the footballing world by reaching the latter stages of this season’s Champions League, the length of Martin’s tenure in the Ibrox dugout will hinge on his side’s Scottish Premiership showings.
The Ibrox faithful will already be nervous about the prospect of facing defending champions Celtic at the end of the month, after the Light Blues failed to get the better of lesser opponents in Motherwell and Dundee.
Meanwhile, Rangers transfer target Karl Hein has been backed to compete with Jack Butland in an Ibrox News exclusive.