Russell Martin will need chopper out of Ibrox in worrying Rangers vs Hearts claim
Rangers may have to make special arrangements for Russell Martin as they face Hearts in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday.
Derek McInnes’ team will travel to Ibrox on 13 September, with the Gers hoping to win their first league game of the season after four consecutive draws.
Martin believes Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell are still backing him, but the former Southampton boss arguably needs to win many fans around in G51 after a poor start to the campaign.
The supporters have already voiced their disapproval of the Scottish manager, both home and away, and things may get extremely tense on the Jambos’ visit to Glasgow.
Ibrox environment could be toxic for Russell Martin in Rangers vs Hearts
Martin could possibly feel the pressure against Hearts if the scoreline is 0-0 by the 25th minute of the game, Ryan Stevenson says.
The former Jambos midfielder believes the Scottish manager may need to be barricaded inside Ibrox due to the potential unrest among the home supporters if the Light Blues are struggling against McInnes’ team.
Stevenson feels the ex-Saints boss won’t be allowed to leave through the front door in case the result against Hearts isn’t going the Glaswegian outfit’s way, which will undoubtedly be a worry for him.
The Scotsman wrote in the Daily Record on 9 September: “It wouldn’t even need to go to half-time. If it gets to 25 minutes and it’s 0-0, Martin will need to be barricaded inside that stadium until on Thursday. Front door? No chance, they’ll need to chopper him out.”
Read More: McInnes talks to be held at Ibrox as Martin ‘nightmare’ emerges
Hearts record at Ibrox only makes things worse for Russell Martin
Martin is expected to get the three points against Hearts, and failure to do so may see the Gers looking elsewhere for a new manager.
Consistently poor performances have marred the Scottish manager’s tenure at the Light Blues, and it doesn’t look like he has taken any lessons from them.
With the former Southampton boss persisting with a system that has put the Glaswegian outfit in danger countless times this season, fans seem to be growing impatient with another project that may or may not succeed.
Martin is already on thin ice at Rangers, with supporters wanting to see a change in the dugout, and dropping points against Hearts will arguably make matters worse.
| Last five matches vs Hearts at Ibrox | Result |
| 10 November 2024 | 1-0 |
| 21 April 2024 | 2-0 |
| 14 February 2024 | 5-0 |
| 29 October 2023 | 2-1 |
| 24 May 2023 | 2-2 |
The Jambos haven’t won a game at Ibrox since 2015, with their last victory coming on 10 August 2014, where they beat the Gers 2-1.
With a 19-game unbeaten streak against Hearts at home, Martin is expected to win on Saturday, which will undoubtedly put even more pressure on him.
It will be interesting to see how the Scottish manager’s situation in G51 will unfold if the Glaswegian outfit lose to McInnes’ team.
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