# Russell Martin Takes Another Disappointing Decision Ahead of Livingston Match: Fans Are Fed Up
**Glasgow, September 27, 2025** – Rangers manager Russell Martin’s turbulent start to the season took another grim turn this week, with reports emerging that the former Southampton boss has doubled down on his possession-based tactics despite a dismal record of just four wins in 14 league games. As the Gers prepare for a crucial Scottish Premiership clash against Livingston on Sunday, fans are reaching boiling point, with protests and calls for his sacking echoing through Ibrox.
Martin’s latest decision—to stick rigidly to his high-pressing, build-from-the-back philosophy—has been slammed as tone-deaf. After a scrappy 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup, where Rangers were reduced to 10 men early, Martin defended his approach in a terse press conference. “We competed well with 10 men,” he insisted, brushing off the red card that “changed the game.” Critics, however, point to a string of humiliating defeats, including a Europa League stumble against Genk, as evidence that his stubborn style is ill-suited to the cutthroat demands of Scottish football.
The appointment of Martin in the summer, following his Championship success with Southampton, was meant to usher in a new era of progressive play. Instead, it’s widened the chasm with rivals Celtic, leaving Rangers adrift in the title race and out of Champions League contention. Recruitment misfires—signings that haven’t gelled under his system—have compounded the woes, with the squad appearing disjointed and vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Fan frustration boiled over before the Hibs match, with organized protests outside Ibrox demanding Martin’s head. Social media is ablaze: one supporter tweeted, “He’s pushed us to hoping Livingston beats us just to get him out. The league’s gone—what’s next, Disneyland?” Another vented, “All down to Russell Martin and his tactics. Fans are fed up.” Banners reading “Martin Out” have become a fixture, and whispers of a board meeting ahead of the Genk rematch suggest owner Andrew Cavenagh may have already decided his fate.
With Livingston’s artificial pitch looming as a potential banana skin, Sunday’s trip to Almondvale feels like Martin’s last stand. A loss could ignite full-scale revolt, thrusting names like Sean Dyche and Davide Ancelotti into the spotlight. For Rangers faithful, the dream of silverware is fading fast under a manager who’s lost the dressing room—and the terraces. Time’s up, Russell.
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