Martin sack pressure soars as ‘huge wad’ of American money spent at Rangers
Russell Martin, the current manager of Rangers FC, is facing mounting pressure following the club’s summer spending spree, backed by their American owners.
The Bears completed a busy transfer window that ended with a flurry of activity, including the high-profile signing of striker Youssef Chermiti from Everton. The 21-year-old joined for an initial £8 million fee, potentially rising to £10 million with add-ons, making him Rangers’ most expensive acquisition since 2000. Despite the necessity to replace Cyriel Dessers, critics have questioned the wisdom of investing so heavily in a relatively unproven forward with only seven career goals and 20 professional starts to his name.
Andy Newport, writing in the Daily Record, described the collective decision by Martin, sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart to spend this “huge wad” of American money—provided via the San Francisco 49ers and investor Andrew Cavenagh—as a risky gamble. This deluge of funding has escalated the expectations on Martin substantially, adding to the pressure already building around his role.
On the pitch, Rangers have endured a sluggish start. A 0-0 draw against Celtic in the Old Firm derby leaves them with just four points from four league matches. European disappointment compounded the trouble, as the club suffered a humiliating 6-0 second-leg defeat to Club Brugge, culminating in a 9-1 aggregate exit from the Champions League qualifiers.
Fan frustration has erupted. The Rangers Fan Advisory Board, the club’s official supporter group, has called for Martin’s immediate dismissal, arguing that even victory over Celtic would not restore confidence in his leadership. Banners and chants have made clear the growing disenchantment among the Ibrox faithful.
Despite this, Martin insists he retains the support of the club’s hierarchy. He has issued a public apology for the Brugge debacle, citing “hurt, humiliation and pain,” while reaffirming his commitment to the team’s recovery and unity.
That unity will be put to the test again as Rangers prepare for a crucial Old Firm derby. Whether Martin can deliver a turnaround under the weight of high expectations—and the cost of financing that demands success—remains to be seen.
