Celtic have left door open for Russell Martin despite Rangers calamity
Rangers may be able to take some solace from the uncertainty at Celtic right now.
The Hoops have left their fans raging after failing to justify their lack of business in the previous transfer window.
Celtic took a sly dig at the previous financial instability at Ibrox, but it only infuriated supporters in G40 who are demanding answers from their board.
Back in G51, Andrew Cavenagh has his own issues with Russell Martin, but there could potentially be a lifeline for the Scottish manager in the William Hill Premiership.
Rangers will want to take advantage of Celtic issues
Celtic may have left the door open for the Gers to get back into the title race, Craig Swan says.
The Daily Record journalist has suggested that the Light Blues could potentially find themselves in a better position if they beat Hearts at Ibrox on 13 September.
Swan believes the Bears might not have anticipated their Old Firm rivals being in their current situation, and Martin could potentially capitalise on it.
- Martin has a 27 per cent win rate at the Gers.
- The Scottish manager has won just three of his 11 games in charge at the Light Blues.
- The Bears have conceded 17 goals this season.
Speaking on Hotline Live on 9 September, the journalist said: “No one can dress up the start of the season for Rangers has been a calamity. It’s been an absolute calamity. Yet, if they can beat Hearts, Celtic can easily slip up against Kilmarnock on Sunday.
“And from this terrible position, Rangers might only be three points behind, when given the start of the season, they probably couldn’t believe it now. I’m not suggesting for a minute that, similar to the Celtic scenario, all the Rangers fans are all of a sudden going to go, ‘Brilliant, Martin’s our guy, we’re off and running’.
“But it would paint a far better picture for Rangers and where they are. Rangers must be looking across the city at what’s happening at Celtic and thinking, ‘Didn’t expect that was going to happen. This might have opened the door’.”
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Hearts match a must-win for Russell Martin
Martin is under extreme pressure at Ibrox, with the Gers expected to maintain their 19-game unbeaten streak against Hearts at home, and an inability to do so could potentially leave the Scottish manager in muddy waters.
The former Southampton boss has struggled since taking over Rangers, with the team off to their worst start in the William Hill Premiership in 42 years following four consecutive league draws.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Glaswegian outfit take drastic decisions in G51 if they drop more points against Derek McInnes’ team, who may be the dark horse this season.
While Kevin Thelwell backed Martin in the previous transfer window, the Gers’ hierarchy know that if things don’t change soon, fans will force them to make a change in the dugout sooner rather than later.
The coming days could potentially be massive for the Light Blues, and how the situation unfolds remains to be seen.
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