Russell Martin already put under pressure at Rangers by Sturm Graz boss before kickoff
Russell Martin may have the weight of the world on his shoulders as Rangers face Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday.
Merkur-Arena will host Martin’s team on 2 October as the Gers look to secure their first points in the European competition.
Genk were victorious at Ibrox in their first Europa League group-stage fixture of the season, and the pressure is on the Scottish manager to turn things around soon.
Jurgen Saumel, the Austrian outfit’s head coach, is now trying to ramp up the intensity of the noise around the former Southampton boss ahead of kickoff.
Rangers multi-million investment called out by Jurgen Saumel
In the previous transfer window, Martin was undoubtedly backed by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, with 13 new players arriving.
With Kevin Thelwell overseeing the recruitment in the summer, several players who have played in the Premier League were brought to Ibrox.
Saumel pointed out the Glaswegian outfit’s recent investment in the pre-match press conference before facing them, which will undoubtedly turn the attention to the Scottish manager’s poor start to the season at Ibrox.
Speaking to the media, as relayed by the Daily Record on 1 October, the Sturm Graz manager said: “£60 million has been invested in the Rangers squad, and that does make a big difference, obviously. If you look at the players they have brought into the team, they have over 250 Premier League appearances within that squad.”
Read More: Rangers accused of being ‘daft’ as fans want Kevin Thelwell out of Ibrox
Russell Martin has no way back at Ibrox
Martin’s tenure at Ibrox is on the brink, with the Scottish manager undoubtedly fighting for his job in every fixture for a few weeks.
The ex-Saints boss hasn’t lived up to expectations at the Gers, and fans have every right to ask for his dismissal after an abysmal spell.
In the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge, the Glaswegian outfit suffered their joint-worst defeat, leading to calls for a change in the dugout in G51.
- Martin has a 33 per cent win rate at the Gers.
- The Light Blues have lost their last four European fixtures.
- The Scottish manager got his first league win against Livingston.
One Rangers fan has suggested that even if Martin wins the Europa League, there will still be those who will want to see him leave.
Supporters have given up on the Scottish manager, and there may be no way back for him.
A loss to Sturm Graz could potentially be the final straw for Cavenagh and the 49ers, but it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
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