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A leading Rangers supporters’ group have urged fellow fans to join them in calling for the immediate dismissals of Russell Martin and Patrick Stewart prior to Saturday’s game with Hibs.
Last Saturday’s home loss to Hearts left the Ibrox club sitting on four points and in 10th position in the Premiership table, statistically their worst start to a league season since 1978-79.
Despite manager Martin being jeered throughout the latest loss, the club’s new American owners refused to pull the trigger - meaning he’s set to take charge once again in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against David Gray’s men.
That stance has further enraged the fanbase, with Ultras group the Unions Bears now asking supporters to congregate outside the stadium before the match to demand that both the manager and chief executive Stewart are shown the door.
After they posted a message which read ‘Martin out, Stewart out. Ibrox main entrance. 4.30pm Saturday,’ a statement on social media read: ‘The Union Bears stand with fellow fan groups and the wider support in demanding the immediate removal of the Rangers management team and CEO.
‘Russell Martin has shown beyond doubt that he is not capable of leading Rangers Football Club.
Rangers fans have seen enough and are demanding that Russell Martin is sacked before Saturday's game with Hibs
A leading supporters' group are calling for chief executive Patrick Stewart, above right, to be dismissed along with Russell Martin
The rows of empty seats say it all at Ibrox as Rangers are beaten 2-0 by Hearts
‘The performances under his management are a disgrace to the standards this club was built on.
‘Rangers cannot afford constant upheaval but, in Martin’s case, there can be no debate. His failure is absolute, and he must be removed from his duties immediately.
‘Patrick Stewart has been quick to criticise supporters, yet has refused to take responsibility for his own catastrophic decision. As CEO, the appointment of Russell Martin lies entirely with him.
‘This failure proves he is unfit to lead Rangers. His position is untenable and he must be held accountable.
‘The new owners must act quickly and decisively. If they do not, they will leave the support with no option but to act. Rangers must have a management team and a squad capable of delivering success worthy of our history and our support.’
Martin has won only three of his 12 games since arriving at the club in the summer. He has also seen the team crash out of Champions League qualifying with a 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge.
Despite supporters again turning on him last weekend, he was adamant that he wouldn’t quit.
The Rangers Supporters Association have also claimed that inaction around Martin’s future is ‘damaging’ the club, and they urged the hierarchy to change head coach as ‘apathy’ sets in.
The Rangers players are in despair as they trudge off the pitch at Ibrox last Saturday
Russell Martin has become the main target of angry Rangers supporters for weeks on end
A dejected Bojan Miovski as the final whistle sounds on Rangers' home defeat to Hearts
A social media post read: ‘The Rangers Supporters Association maintains our position regarding the head coach.
‘The continued lack of visible action from the club is deeply concerning, especially in light of poor performances on the pitch and falling ticket sales.
‘This inaction is damaging the club rather than helping it.
‘We are also aware that our members clubs are being directly affected, with apathy already beginning to set in among supporters.
‘The club must act now to resolve this situation and set out a clear strategy for the way forward.’
