Martin unsure on Rangers future after Hearts defeat extends winless start
Rangers’ rough start to the 2025-26 season continued with a 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
Russell Martin admitted he is unsure about his Rangers future after a 2-0 defeat to Hearts extended their winless start in the Scottish Premiership.
Lawrence Shankland scored both goals for Hearts, first firing low past Jack Butland after a neat assist from Claudio Braga in the 21st minute.
The 30-year-old then doubled his tally eight minutes from time, scoring on the rebound after his own penalty was saved by Butland.
Martin is the first Rangers boss since John Greig in 1978 to fail to win any of his first five league games in charge, while Hearts won their first match at Ibrox in 11 years.
When asked about his future at the club, Martin told BBC Scotland: “We’ll see.
“There is a lot of anxiety, a lot of difficulty managing expectations. We have so many players trying to feel their way into their Rangers careers in a really difficult situation.
“There's so much change, so many new players, they are coming into an environment that's really unique, that they wouldn't have felt before. So we have to try to help them through that.
“We are not coming into a club that has been winning a lot and that has strong foundations, so there's been so much change.
“We knew that in-house and knew change could be messy.”
Martin was booed by the fans ahead of kick-off, and the fans did not hesitate to make their feelings known throughout the defeat.
The head coach knows it won’t be easy to regain their support, but he is focused on his players and fellow staff members.
“Only results will convince them,” Martin added.
“My job is to convince the players and the staff inside the building after a difficult afternoon and give them enough support and detail to improve.
“It is not going to be an easy journey for me to win favour. It hasn't been from day one with a lot of people, but we'll keep working and make sure it does.
“Professionally, it hurts a bit because nobody sees how hard you work. No-one sees the stuff you have to deal with, but it is what it is and is the job of a football manager.”
