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Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton believes there will be no way back for embattled boss Russell Martin if the Ibrox club crash out of the Premier Sports Cup to Hibernian on Saturday.
Martin is under serious pressure after failing to win any of his first five league games and the heat will be further cranked up when chairman Andrew Cavenagh jets in from America to watch the win-or-bust quarter-final clash with Hibs.
Disgruntled fans are also planning a protest before kick-off, urging the board to take action and axe Martin.
When asked if there was any way back for Martin if Rangers exited the League Cup this weekend, Hutton said: ‘I can’t see it. To be honest, I liked listening to Russell at the very start.
He’s calm, calculated and knows what he likes but that’s not translating to what’s happening on the pitch.
‘If the result doesn’t go their way then I don’t personally see any way back. I don’t like speaking about that. I don’t want to see anyone lose their job but when the fans turn, and ask big questions, then it’s very difficult to get them back.
Russell Martin desperately needs a victory if he is to have any hope of saving his job
Questions are also being asked about the Rangers board, including Kevin Thelwell
‘He looks like a man that’s been beaten up and has the weight of the world on his shoulders.’
Hutton reckons it’s also a big test of the new ownership with Cavenagh making the late decision to attend Saturday’s quarter-final at Ibrox.
‘He (Cavenagh) is at the top of the tree and if he feels it’s not working then he has to show action,’ added Hutton. ‘They need to change direction quickly. They are sitting 10th in the league! However you look at it that’s not good enough.
‘People talk about Celtic, and they have their issues, but they are winning games. And that’s all that matters. If it doesn’t go Rangers’ way on Saturday then it’s very difficult and Andrew Cavenagh is here. I think he’s here for a reason.
‘I don’t mean that he’s just here to get rid of him (Martin). If something doesn’t go well then he’s here for a reason.
'If I was in Russell Martin’s shoes I’d be worried that he’s there.
‘It’s a huge test for the new owners. They’ve backed the manager. The fans aren’t stupid. They are now asking questions of the owners, Patrick Stewart (CEO) and Kevin Thelwell (Sporting Director). When they start voting with their feet then it becomes very difficult.
‘And I think it’s right he (Cavenagh) is there. He has to show face and front up. He is going to get a real feeling of what things are like inside Ibrox. He has to reassure fans of what the plan is going forward.’
Martin took the team out to Loch Lomond for some wild swimming on Monday, a team bonding session that Hutton admitted he wouldn’t be overly enamoured with in his playing days..
‘I wouldn’t have been happy with that, I’m not going to lie,’ laughed Hutton. ‘I can’t sit and say that I would enjoy that but I understand why. You get the team out and try to bond.
‘But I just feel with the way the situation is at this moment in time, everyone was going to jump on it - and they did. Others will be out saying you should be out training and working hard on what you want to do for the next game.
The issues around Nico Raskin have not helped matters with the midfielder out of favour
‘And Hibs are a good side. They’ll go for it as the fear factor isn’t there at Ibrox anymore.’
The unresolved situation between Martin and midfielder Nicolas Raskin is another thorn in the manager’s side.
The Belgian impressed and scored on international duty but was left out of the Old Firm derby before the international break and watched last weekend’s defeat to Hearts in the stands as he continues to be frozen out at Ibrox for the time being.
‘Nico is a player Rangers should be looking to build the squad around,’ added Hutton, who helped conduct the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup draw.
‘I think after coming out and talking to him after the international break, he should have been in the squad (for the Hearts game).
‘Not necessarily starting as Russell wanted to keen the same starting XI from the Celtic game, which is fine, but having him in the squad would have squashed any issue there. But it just keeps rumbling on and that doesn’t help anyone.’
