Russell Martin must be ruthless in Europa League as Rangers boss faces make-or-break European dilemma
Russell Martin will have to pull off something special to secure his future at Rangers, with fans already wanting to see a change at Ibrox.
The 39-year-old head coach has won just four of his 13 games in charge of the Gers, leading to calls for his sacking in G51.
Martin bought himself time by beating Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on 20 September, but he arguably still isn’t out of the danger zone.
Andrew Cavenagh witnessed fan fury at Ibrox first-hand as he was in the stadium, and the Glaswegian outfit’s chairman could potentially change his mind soon as supporters boycott matches.
Europa League triumph needed for Russell Martin to save Rangers job
Martin may need to win the Europa League to save his job at the Gers, with other prospects this season looking bleak.
The Light Blues are already nine points behind Celtic and Hearts in the William Hill Premiership, and it would be difficult to see the Ibrox side get back into title contention.
As for the other domestic competitions, they may not be enough for the Scottish manager to convince fans that he’s the right person to lead the Glaswegian outfit.
With pressure mounting on the former Southampton boss in G51, he may have to do what Ange Postecoglou did at Tottenham last season and focus on winning the Europa League.
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Ibrox change still on cards as Russell Martin struggles
Even if Martin wins the Europa League at Ibrox, some supporters would still want to see him gone after what they’ve had to endure this season.
While getting into the knockout stages of the Europa League will undoubtedly be difficult for the Gers as things stand, let alone winning it, the competition may be the Scottish manager’s only salvation now.
Considering the performances the Glaswegian outfit have put in this season, it will arguably take a miracle of magnificent proportions for a European title parade in G51.
- The Gers are 11th in the William Hill Premiership after five games.
- Martin has not won any of his league matches in charge at the Light Blues.
- The Scottish manager has a 30 per cent win rate at the Glaswegian outfit.
Martin will surely be back under pressure at Rangers if they lose to Genk in the opening game of the group stages.
The ex-Saints boss will certainly have to take things game by game, as the new American owners may not tolerate any further slip-ups.
Against the Belgian outfit, Martin must demonstrate that his team is capable of competing in the Europa League this season.
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