Worries emerge as Russell Martin most likely successor named already at Rangers
Russell Martin is under pressure already at Rangers, and one possible replacement has now been mooted.
Rangers fans were sceptical as Martin was appointed earlier this summer, under a new ownership group led by 49ers Enterprises.
It has been a rocky start to life at Ibrox for the former defender, who failed to win either of Rangers’ two Scottish Premiership games so far.
Fans are already beginning to turn on Martin, and a replacement has now been touted, with a very familiar name potentially on Rangers’ radar.
Derek McInnes mooted for Rangers job again
Hearts manager Derek McInnes is a name very familiar to Rangers fans, as a former player as well as an established manager in the Scottish Premiership.
The 54-year-old has coached St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock before joining Hearts, and McInnes has long been linked with the Rangers job.
McInnes almost took the job in 2018 before Steven Gerrard was appointed, but Daily Record columnist Ryan Stevenson has now expressed his concern that they could look at the Scot to replace Martin.
The former Rangers midfielder has impressed at Hearts with six wins from six so far, and Stevenson has claimed that if Martin cannot steady the ship soon, McInnes is the most likely manager who could replace him.
| Club | Time in charge | Win percentage |
| St Johnstone | November 2007 – October 2011 | 40 |
| Bristol City | October 2011 – January 2013 | 27 |
| Aberdeen | April 2013 – March 2021 | 53 |
| Kilmarnock | January 2022 – May 2025 | 38 |
| Hearts | May 2025 – present | 100 |
With a number of coaches coming in from elsewhere over the years to no avail, with Pedro Caixinha and Phillipe Clement among those who have failed, it is claimed that someone with McInnes’ track record in Scotland could be a better appointment.
McInnes has now been compared to the legendary Walter Smith, as someone who can walk into any dressing room in Scotland and instantly command respect, and perhaps this is the best way for Rangers to rebuild.
“I’ll get slaughtered for saying this, but I actually think Del is bigger than Hearts – or certainly has the potential to reach a higher level,” Stevenson said. “And that’s why I worry about the situation at Rangers.
“If Martin does continue to struggle, I just don’t think Rangers can avoid making a move for him this time.”
Martin needs to quickly improve Rangers’ results
Despite not having much time at Ibrox so far, Martin has already frustrated the fanbase with some of his tactics and decisions, and the Rangers crowd turned on him during a draw with Dundee.
Martin is trying to implement his own style of play, but this will take time which he may not be afforded if Rangers fall further behind in the Scottish Premiership.
McInnes may be a safe pair of hands if Martin is dismissed, but the wider issue will be that the new owners may give up on their long-term manager appointment within just a few months of his tenure, and this would be a move representative of the old regime.
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