Rival boss launches passionate defence of Russell Martin as Rangers sack looms
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Charlie Grace
Sat 13 September 2025 19:03, UK
Russell Martin has received the passionate backing of rival Hearts boss Derek McInnes after Hearts beat Rangers 2-0.
Martin was showered with boos from the stands at Ibrox as the Rangers fans made their feelings known towards the 39-year-old.
Rangers fell 1-0 down to a controversial Lawrence Shankland goal, a decision that was also greeted with discontent.
Shankland made it 2-0 to Hearts as the scrutiny place on Martin looks set to ramp up from Rangers’ fanbase and pundits alike.
Credit: Imago
Martin has been under criticism this week for his treatment of Nicolas Raskin, with fans disagreeing with how Martin has treated the midfielder.
Hearts boss McInnes spoke to the media after his side saw of Rangers to go top of the Scottish Premiership.
Lawrence Shankland scored twice for Hearts against Rangers(Credit Getty Images)
McInnes was asked if he had sympathy for Martin by the Daily Record, and responded saying: “Not a bit of sympathy.
It’s so unfair on him.
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“This stage of the season, it is still early on and even if we were at the bottom end of the table and working towards our best form, I would be looking for that kind of patience and all the rest of it.
“Russell Martin is a good man and a fine manager.
When clubs like Rangers aren’t winning games of football it is more than just the manager.
It’s so unfair that,” McInnes said.
Martin’s side have played out four draws to start their Scottish Premiership campaign, finding themselves 10th in the table after Saturday’s loss.
Three 1-1 draws were followed by a promising 0-0 draw against Celtic before the international break, but it appears that optimism has dwindled yet again.
Rangers 2025-26vs Motherwell1-1vs Dundee1-1vs St Mirren1-1vs Celtic0-0vs Hearts0-2Rangers’ start to the Scottish Premiership
A humiliating 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge in Champions League qualifying has been a cloud hanging over Martin, and it that cloud is growing darker as the weeks go on.
Martin will hope that he’s offered time from the Rangers hierarchy but this latest setback will ring alarm bells for those in charge at Ibrox.