Russell Martin must be sacked before Rangers leave Austria as 128-year record equalled
Rangers have been woeful all season under Russell Martin, and their struggles continued in Austria against Sturm Graz on Thursday.
Martin’s side travelled to Austria hoping to build up some winning form, but they continued to embarrass the club as they fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League.
Rangers were particularly poor in the first half as Jack Butland gave an early goal away, before terrible set-piece defending meant Sturm Graz had a 2-0 lead by half-time.
The Gers improved in the second half as Djeidi Gassama scored an outstanding goal, but they could not turn the result around to lose, with their unpopular manager again failing to coach a victory.
Rangers’ defending against Sturm Graz a sackable offence
Fans yet again held up banners calling for Martin to go, and Kris Boyd was also raging at what he saw from Rangers in the defeat.
Rangers have struggled under Martin, winning just five of 16 games in all competitions, which have included several dismal performances.
- Martin is under huge pressure with one win from his first six Scottish Premiership games.
- Rangers were embarrassed in the Champions League and have lost both their Europa League games.
They have now gone 22 consecutive away games without a clean sheet, equalling a record low set in 1897, 128 years ago, as Rangers continue to find new lows under Martin.
Both goals that Rangers conceded against Sturm Graz were hugely embarrassing, with comical efforts to prevent Tom Horvart from shooting for the first, before one pass exposed their high line for the second.
Many were calling for Martin to go before the match, and the appalling first half against Sturm Graz shows why he should be sacked immediately, with no time to spare after the game.
Russell Martin cannot turn it around at Rangers
Rangers have played poorly every week under Martin, and despite his attempts to deflect the blame, it is clear that he is the root of their problems.
Despite fresh energy and attacking substitutions in the second half, Rangers did not create many clear chances to try and turn the game around, and Martin’s side are incapable of scoring from open play under him.
The defending was amateur level, but Martin’s sides are always poor at the back, and there is little to suggest that will change any time soon.
Andrew Cavenagh is coming under increasing pressure to sack Martin, and backing him is only delaying the inevitable, with it now clear that his time at Ibrox should have ended long ago.
It is time to sack him before he even reaches the plane in Austria, regardless of how awkward that would make the flight home; enough is enough.
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