Sources: Rangers advance on securing Russell Martin replacement
Russell Martin remains under increasing sack pressure at Rangers and his long-term future may now have taken another twist.
A dismal start to the season has seen Rangers fail to win any of their opening five league games while they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League.
Football Insider revealed that a defeat against Hibernian could see Rangers sack Martin, but following their 2-0 win, he has bought himself some time.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Ibrox hierarchy have already begun assessing alternatives to the boss as they advance on securing a replacement.
Sources say there are a number of candidates keen on the position, while options considered prior to Martin’s arrival are still firmly on the club’s radar.
Big-name managers line up to replace Russell Martin at Rangers
Sean Dyche has been tipped to take over at Rangers if Martin is dismissed, while the likes of Davide Ancelotti and Steven Gerrard also linked with the role.
All three bosses were considered during their search for a permanent boss just four months ago before they ultimately decided Martin was the man for the job.
Now, the club are believed to be considering a number of previous options as well as new targets, with the role seen as attractive despite their recent form.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I think obviously they want to retain their faith in Martin because they put a lot into him.
“There were other targets they considered during the summer, but they decided to go with Martin, so they don’t want to make a quick change because it won’t look good for them.
“But at every top club, you’ve got to have contingency plans in place, and Rangers are no different.
“They are looking at alternative targets if worse comes to worst and they have to replace Martin, because pressure is still on the board to make a change.
“There are a number of names on their list, and some of the names they considered in the summer will come into the club’s thinking as well.
“The Rangers job, despite their struggles, is still seen as an attractive job for a number of managers, they’re a huge club with a huge fanbase and ambitious owners.
“So I think there are a number of applicants ready to go for that job if Martin does end up losing his position at Ibrox.”
There is no shortage of interest in the potential vacancy at Ibrox, as seen during their drawn-out process before appointing Martin during the summer.
Martin given three games to save his job at Rangers
Football Insider revealed on 20 September that Rangers could give Martin three games to save his job despite supporters’ demands for his dismissal.
The Premier Sports Cup win against Hibs got them off to a good start, with their opening Europa League fixture against Genk and SPFL visit to Livingston to follow.
The board remain hopeful that he can turn their dismal early-season form around and eventually win back the faith of the supporters who have begun to turn.
However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 5 September that Rangers could cave in to fan pressure and pull the trigger on Martin.
Protests following their heavy Champions League defeat to Club Brugge saw banners hung outside Ibrox which read: “Get him out now before the seats are empty.”
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