(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Russell Martin now faces Rangers sack after disgusting scenes vs Hearts

Samuel Fabre

Samuel was hired to the writing team at Breaking Media in August 2025, having graduated from Bournemouth University earlier that summer. During his studies, Samuel gained work experience with Get Football Group and Trill Magazine. Based in Oxford, Sam has covered Rangers extensively since joining the company, with a laser focus on preview and matchday build-up content.

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Rangers slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday as things went from bad to worse for Russell Martin.

Martin faces more calls to be sacked by Rangers following a shocking performance, which has left them 10th in the Scottish Premiership.

Club legend Ally McCoist was hugely critical of Rangers' performance and demanded better from Martin following the loss.

The result doesn't feel like a shock, as Rangers fans have experienced many painful results during his tenure, which now looks set to be cut short.

Rangers manager Russell Martin speaking at a press conference
Martin is on the verge of being sacked. (Credit: Imago)

Rangers face boos yet again as shock stat emerges

Lawrence Shankland was linked with Rangers in the summer, and his two goals saw Hearts claim a first Ibrox win since 2014.

The defeat means that by mid-September, Rangers have now played 12 games this season and have failed to beat a Scottish team that plays above League One.

Rangers were booed off the pitch at half-time, full-time, and during parts of the match, with the most notable incident coming when Martin was jeered for substituting Connor Barron for Joe Rothwell.

This kind of statistic is hugely damming for Martin, and it's not a shock that most fans want him gone.

  • Gained four points from five Scottish Premiership matches
  • Sit 10th in the league
  • Knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers

Martin's first two months in charge have gone as badly as he could have hoped, with there being serious doubts he will make it to the end of October.

Boos rung around Ibrox today. (Credit: Getty)
Boos rung around Ibrox today. (Credit: Getty)

Russell Martin's style of play found out yet again

Hearts manager Derek McInnes got his game-plan spot on, sitting deep and hitting Rangers on the counter.

Nasser Djiga and John Souttar were exposed once more for the first goal, with Shankland running off the back of them and finishing confidently.

Rangers' lack of urgency and penetration was laid bare for all to see at Ibrox, as Martin's possession-based football is yet to have any success.

RangersStatHearts
66Possession (per cent)34
1.00Expected goals (xG)1.62
14Shots12
0Big chances3
43Duels won (per cent) 57
Rangers vs Hearts ket stats (via FotMob)

Despite Rangers having slightly more shots, it's clear to see that hardly any of their opportunities were anywhere near as good as the ones that Hearts fashioned.

Martin is stuck in his ways when it comes to his philosophy, and if he is given the chance to manage Rangers' next match against Hibs, then the football must dramatically change.

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