Rangers are going through a rough spell. The dismissal of Russell Martin after a 1-1 draw with Falkirk confirmed that their start to the season has fallen well short of expectations. The team has collected just eight points in seven matches, with only one win, marking their worst start to the Scottish Premiership since the 1978-79 campaign. The club returns to the field this Saturday at Ibrox to face Dundee United in the eighth round, still without a permanent head coach.
A pressure-filled stretch
Russell Martin’s time in charge of Rangers was short and disappointing. Hired after Barry Ferguson’s departure, the former Southampton coach couldn’t bring balance to the squad. In 17 matches, he managed only five wins, along with six draws and six losses. The poor results dragged the team down the table and pushed the board to make a decision that had already been under discussion behind the scenes. With a squad built to compete at the top of the league, the numbers simply didn’t add up.
Recent history against Dundee United offers some comfort. Rangers have won eight of their last ten league meetings since 2021, a record that gives the squad a small boost of confidence. Still, the situation remains unstable. The club has recorded fewer than ten points in their first eight league games of a season on only three previous occasions: 1964-65, 1978-79, and 1989-90. The statistic highlights just how concerning this start has been.
Kevin Smith takes interim charge
After Martin’s exit, under-19 coach Kevin Smith has stepped in to lead the first team, joined by Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen, and Sal Bibbo. Smith acknowledged the challenge and said he’s focused on helping the team regain its rhythm. “I’m taking it one day at a time. It’s been a whirlwind, but we have a game we need to go out and win tomorrow,” he said.
Smith also commented on the atmosphere in training, noting that things have improved over the week, and emphasized the importance of keeping tactics simple. “Clarity is the most important thing. We tried to simplify and remind them they’re a good group,” he explained. The interim coach reinforced that players should focus on what they can control on the pitch. “As players, the focus should always return to what you can control, and that’s what happens on the field. You can control your individual performance, and that’s what matters most.”