Rangers admit Russell Martin hiring was ‘wrong’

Rangers Football Club confirmed the departure of head coach Russell Martin on Sunday following a disappointing run of results that left the club struggling in the Scottish Premiership. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh acknowledged responsibility for the appointment but emphasized that a “rigorous, thoughtful recruitment process” is underway to identify Martin’s successor.

Martin, who took charge during the summer after leaving Southampton, was dismissed after managing just one league victory in seven matches. His tenure culminated in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk, leaving Rangers in the bottom half of the table and 11 points adrift of league leaders Hearts. The situation at Falkirk’s stadium was tense, with police assistance required to escort Martin amid vocal fan discontent. Assistant coach Matt Gill and first-team coach Mike Williamson also exited the club alongside Martin.

In an open letter posted on Rangers’ official website, Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe expressed disappointment with recent results and outlined the club’s immediate focus on appointing a new manager. Cavenagh stated, “We did not get this right, and it’s our responsibility to fix it and get us back on track.” He assured supporters that the recruitment process is receiving full attention, aiming to secure a leader with the “character and skillset to deliver results.”

The Rangers chairman emphasized confidence in the current squad’s talent and determination while highlighting ongoing structural work at the club. Under chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, plans are advancing to stabilize leadership and invest strategically in Ibrox’s infrastructure to support long-term success.

Currently trailing by nine points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, Rangers’ season remains alive across four competitions, including a Premier Sports Cup semifinal clash against Celtic next month and continued fixtures in the Europa League. Despite early setbacks in Europe, the club reiterated its commitment to restoring competitive performance levels.

Cavenagh concluded his statement by recognizing fan loyalty and the collective ambition to return Rangers to domestic and European prominence, affirming that while change is challenging, it presents a “great opportunity ahead.”

This managerial change marks a significant juncture in Rangers’ strategy as they seek to assert themselves again as Scotland’s leading force and build a sustainable platform for future success.