Rangers Win But Pressure Mounts on Manager Russell Martin

ALMONDVALE, Scotland — Rangers secured their first league victory under manager Russell Martin with a stoppage-time goal against Livingston on Saturday, yet many fans remain dissatisfied.

The match unfolded dramatically. Just as the traveling Rangers supporters began celebrating a last-minute goal from Max Aarons, discontent towards Martin resurfaced as chants against him echoed across Almondvale Stadium.

“You could hear clearly what the fans felt towards the manager, even after the goal went in,” said former Scotland forward James McFadden on Sky Sports. “It’s big for the players, but I’m not too sure what it does for Russell Martin.”

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Martin keeps speaking about anxiety, but you’re away from home against a team that’s just been promoted. Rangers have better players than Livingston. It’s a relief, but it’s papering over the cracks. It’s still not good enough for Rangers.”

Despite the victory, many still question what the win means for Martin’s future. His tenure has begun poorly, with previous games resulting in three draws and a loss. Yet Saturday’s win was crucial, and Rangers displayed a more aggressive attitude in the first half, dominating possession and creating chances.

James Tavernier opened the scoring before seeing a penalty saved by Livingston’s goalkeeper, Jerome Prior. A disallowed goal by Derek Cornelius and missed chances only added to the tension. However, the grit shown by the team in the dying minutes secured the win.

“Rangers were disjointed, nobody knew the shape or the tactics, but somehow they found a way to win the game,” Stephen Craigan, a former Northern Ireland international, commented. “The big positive is they won out of nowhere, but there’s so many learnings in that second half.”

With challenging matches against Sturm Graz and Falkirk on the horizon, many fans remain skeptical. “Ask Neil McCann, who occupied the Ibrox dugout last season as Barry Ferguson’s assistant. ‘It’s so important for Russell Martin,’ he said. ‘You could see the relief on his face. Today was just about winning. Take three points and get off the pitch.’”

Post-match, Martin expressed happiness for his players but acknowledged the strained relationship with fans. “I’m so happy for the players – they really stuck at it,” he stated. “It’s aimed at me but it’s not about me today, it’s about the players.”

The road ahead looks tough, as fans demand both results and improvements in performance. “The fans expect more. They want to see high-energy football, the stuff that the manager promised when he came in,” said Kevin Thomson, a former Rangers player. “I hope Russell does a good job, I hope he turns the corner and that there can be some sort of run and that the fans can get behind him.”