Having appointed Russell Martin as Rangers manager, CEO Patrick Stewart had long refused to accept that his choice wasn’t working. The former Manchester United man has been a disaster to say the least, not unlike his sporting director Kevin Thelwell. But last night, at long last, Rangers fans finally got the news they had been craving for weeks — Russell Martin was gone.
cameras
It emerged that Martin already knew his fate before facing the cameras after the dire draw at Falkirk. Patrick Stewart had informed him beforehand that his time was up. Martin then carried out his media duties as if nothing had happened, while Stewart prepared to take over dressing room responsibilities. Once the manager’s final interview was done, he was told not to return to the dressing room. Stewart stepped in and addressed the players himself, confirming that Martin’s tenure was officially over.
ugly
Outside the ground, things turned ugly. Martin’s exit was delayed as Rangers supporters surrounded his car, furious and fed up with the state of their club. Police had to intervene, ensuring he left safely. It was a grim spectacle — no matter how justified the frustration, that kind of behaviour is not something anyone should condone. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the scenes underlined just how toxic things had become under Martin.
Still, it was clear that even without the official dismissal, there was no way back. The relationship between manager, board, and fans had completely collapsed. Stewart, the man who had stubbornly backed Martin for so long, was finally forced to act. He ended what he started — the appointment and the dismissal of one of the most unpopular managers in modern Rangers history.
So, as Stewart told the players of the change in leadership, it marked the end of a miserable chapter. Rangers will now move quickly to appoint a replacement, with fans desperate for someone capable of restoring pride, belief, and authority to Ibrox. For now, though, it’s simply goodbye to Russell Martin — and maybe, just maybe, the start of healing for Rangers.