Ally McCoist fires shots after Rangers sack Russell Martin following awful start to new season

Ally McCoist has accused Rangers’ hierarchy and former manager Russell Martin of underestimating the scale of the challenge at Ibrox after the Englishman’s short-lived tenure came to an abrupt end on Sunday night
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The 39-year-old was relieved of his duties on Sunday night
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Ally McCoist has accused Rangers’ hierarchy and former manager Russell Martin of underestimating the scale of the challenge at Ibrox after the Englishman’s short-lived tenure came to an abrupt end on Sunday night.
Martin was dismissed just 123 days into the job following a dismal 1-1 draw with Falkirk — a result that left Rangers languishing in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership and a distant shadow of their title rivals, Hearts and Celtic.
The 39-year-old managed only five wins from 17 competitive fixtures, with just one coming in the league.
The final straw came amid angry scenes at Falkirk Stadium, where furious supporters blocked the team bus in protest.
Martin was quietly escorted out a back exit by security before the club confirmed his departure at 9:40pm.
For McCoist, who made more than 750 appearances for Rangers and remains one of the club’s most respected voices, the decision was “no surprise.”
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former striker criticised both Martin and the club’s new ownership group — an American consortium led by healthcare magnate Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises — for misjudging the magnitude of the rebuild.
“The scenes were unsavoury and didn’t do anyone any favours,” McCoist said.
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Ally McCoist believes things could get worse for Rangers
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“But the sacking itself? Certainly not a shock.
“We’re sitting eighth in the table with a negative goal difference — it was inevitable.
“I think both the new owners and the management staff underestimated the size of the task.
“People look at Scottish football and assume Celtic and Rangers will just win their games, but it’s far harder than that.”
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Russell Martin was only appointed as Rangers boss back in the summer
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McCoist pointed to deeper structural issues at the club, from recruitment to mentality, arguing that the problems go well beyond the manager.
“There’s been really poor business in the transfer market,” he continued.
“It’s easy to blame the manager — the buck does stop there — but players have to take responsibility too.
“Did you see the goals Rangers conceded in midweek? It was incredible.
“Falkirk outran and outfought Rangers. That can happen now and again, but not as regularly as it has. They look like wee boys out there.”
The numbers tell their own story: five wins, six draws and six defeats from 17 matches.
And McCoist fears the worst is yet to come given Rangers’ relatively forgiving schedule so far.
“They’ve been to St Mirren, Motherwell, Livingston and Falkirk — not exactly the toughest away grounds,” he noted.
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Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Falkirk over the weekend
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“They’ve not been to Celtic, Hearts, Hibs or Aberdeen yet.
“These are the games you’re expected to win, and at the moment, Rangers are incapable of giving their fans confidence anywhere they play.
“The opposition smell blood. Usually a wounded animal is dangerous — Rangers look like a wounded animal that’s anything but.”
With the club once again searching for direction, McCoist’s words serve as both a warning and a challenge: until Rangers rediscover their fight and their identity, even new ownership and fresh managers may find the job far bigger than they imagine.