Rangers Manager Russell Martin Faces Fan Backlash Amid Winless Premiership Start

Rangers manager Russell Martin is under intense pressure after a poor start to the 2025 Scottish Premiership season, with the club drawing its first four league matches and suffering a humiliating 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers. Key player Nicolas Raskin has been omitted from recent squads, sparking fan outrage as he was last season's Player of the Year, while calls for Martin's dismissal grow louder. Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe and ex-manager Barry Ferguson have advised Martin to instill greater pressure and responsibility on the players, emphasizing the urgent need for a win, especially against Hearts, to halt the club's decline. Despite the mounting criticism, former CEO Keith Wyness has defended Martin, urging fans to be patient and backing the board's decision not to sack him amid ongoing squad rebuilding challenges. The transition period has been turbulent due to a major squad overhaul and tactical changes, but voices like Ferguson stress that excuses must end and results are now paramount. Rangers face a critical juncture as Martin seeks to stabilize the team and meet the high expectations of the club and supporters.