Russell Martin time off confirmed as Rangers boss faces media at Auchenhowie
Russell Martin is entering a crucial period in charge of Rangers.
Martin is under severe pressure at the moment, with the Ibrox club still winless in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Rangers take on Hearts on Saturday, with the visitors sitting top of the league and ready to claim a first win at Ibrox since 2014.
With Rangers crashing out of the Champions League already, the sack looms for Martin, and his latest press conference has shown that he is battling with another issue.
Russell Martin struggling with illness ahead of crunch match vs Hearts
After Friday’s press conference, some fans believed that Martin had already lost belief in his job, despite only joining the Govan club this summer.
Responding to this, Four Lads Had A Dream shared the latest behind the manager on X, who has been away from Auchenhowie during the break.
They wrote: “He’s been ill and off this week, mate. He’s genuinely feeling rough.”
Whilst Martin will be on the touchline on Saturday, it’s not great to see the Rangers manager struggling with sickness.
His players will need to be on top form as they take on a Derek McInnes side that has scored 10 goals in their first four league matches.
Rangers fans can take solace in the fact that they have a brilliant record against Hearts in recent meetings.
- Rangers have conceded five goals against Hearts in their last 10 meetings at Ibrox
- Hearts haven’t won at Ibrox in 11 years
- Rangers have won seven and drawn three of their last 10 matches against Hearts
With Rangers already in must-win territory, Martin needs to do anything he can to ensure they walk away with the three points, regardless of the performance.
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Derek Cornelius and Youssef Chermiti set to make Rangers debuts
In the press conference, Martin hinted that Cornelius and Chermiti could feature at some point against Hearts.
Cornelius is likely to start over the struggling Nasser Djiga, with the left-footed centre-back’s inclusion meaning John Souttar can move over to his preferred right side.
Chermiti will probably start as a substitute, with fellow summer signing Bojan Miovski likely to continue up front for Rangers.
Both signings will need to prove their worth from the off, as scrutiny continues to build on Martin.
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