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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 22 August 2025 9:19, UK
Rangers are not expected to sack Russell Martin following their “embarrassing” defeat to Club Brugge and a wretched start to the new season.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about the manager’s position at Ibrox amid growing pressure from the supporters.
It has been a difficult start for the new boss, having drawn both of his SPFL games so far before being thrashed 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Rangers fans showed their discontent at Ibrox as many left the ground after just 20 minutes, raising questions about Martin’s position among the supporters.
However, while he is “certainly” under pressure given the demands of the top job in Govan, he is highly likely to be sacked in the aftermath of the defeat.
Instead, there is an understanding that the side remains in need of strengthening, as Football Insider revealed Rangers are targeting three new signings.
Russell Martin has had a difficult start at Rangers.
(Credit: Imago)
Fans had been hoping for an immediate improvement from Rangers this season, after rivals Celtic won the title by a clear 17 points last time out.
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A slow start to the season has immediately gone against those plans and ramped up the pressure on the boss to deliver better results quickly.
O’Rourke explained that while there is always pressure on the manager at Ibrox, there will be no immediate reaction or “massive” pressure from the board.
“There’s always pressure when you’re at a huge club like Rangers,” he told Football Insider.
“Pressure will only continue to build, especially if they have more performances like against Club Brugge in that opening 20 minutes.
“It was really embarrassing from a Rangers perspective that game.
“It’s been a difficult start to his tenure at Ibrox for Russell Martin.
“They’ve dropped points in the league.
Paraag Marathe may already have a decision to make at Rangers.
(Credit: Imago)
“And if they were to crash out of the Champions League before the league stage as well, that’d be a huge blow to the club’s ambitions and also to the club’s finances as well.
“So look, the pressure is on Russell Martin to deliver.
“From what I’m told there won’t be any knee-jerk reactions from the Rangers board just yet.
“They’ve obviously got faith in Russell Martin, I don’t think there’s a massive pressure from the board.”
Amid an expectation that Martin’s squad will be strengthened before the window closes, a number of players could still be set to leave Ibrox.
Football Insider revealed on 19 August that QPR and Oxford United want to sign Ben Davies and have joined the race for the centre-back’s signature.
Davies spent last season on loan at Birmingham where he started 40 games across all competitions as they achieved promotion from League One in a record-breaking season.
Football Insider revealed on 29 July that Birmingham were in talks to sign Davies permanently, but they were ultimately unable to reach an agreement.
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