Russell Martin sack to raise difficult questions after Rangers summer mess
Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell can’t keep making excuses for Russell Martin after Rangers lost to Sturm Graz.
Jurgen Saumel’s team won at Merkur-Arena on 2 October, with the Gers failing to register any points in the Europa League after two games.
Martin should be sacked at Ibrox in the coming hours, having won just five of his 16 games in charge of the Light Blues.
The Scottish manager’s appointment has arguably been an absolute disaster for the Glaswegian outfit, and the hierarchy may soon have some difficult questions to answer.
Rangers hiring process a mess as Russell Martin sack to have consequences
Questions need to be asked of those who hired Martin if he’s sacked after a few months in charge of the Gers, Alex Crook says.
The talkSPORT journalist revealed that the Scottish manager was never the hierarchy’s first choice in the summer, with Steven Gerrard and Jose Mourinho seen as candidates at Ibrox.
With the Light Blues taking their time to appoint Barry Ferguson’s successor in the dugout, the former Southampton boss’ dismissal certainly won’t be a good look for the decision-makers.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 3 October, Crook said: “Martin wasn’t top of their wanted list. They tried for Gerrard, but he decided he was quite happy where he was in Bahrain. There were some fanciful talks about Mourinho at one stage. The whole summer was a little bit of a mess.
“They left it very late to actually hire Martin, and obviously, the recruitment was well underway by then. My argument is if you end up sacking a manager so early in his tenure, then I think you have to ask questions of the person who appointed him in the first place as well.”
Read More: Ally McCoist reacts to strange Robbie Thelwell appointment
Kevin Thelwell to look over his shoulder as Russell Martin not good enough
Thelwell’s future at Ibrox should be assessed after taking charge as sporting director in the summer and making some questionable decisions.
The Englishman must have arguably played a significant role in appointing Martin and was also influential in the Gers’ recent recruitment strategy.
Apart from Djeidi Gassama, it can be argued that none of the players Thelwell signed are good enough for the Glaswegian outfit.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Andrew Cavenagh can’t keep backing Martin at Rangers, and the loss to Sturm Graz should’ve been the final straw for the American owners.
Fans in G51 have already lost faith in the former Saints boss and have been calling for a change in the dugout for several weeks now.
Instead of prolonging the Scottish manager’s woeful tenure at Ibrox, the Light Blues would be best served to find a replacement quickly.
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