“Total Chaos Unleashed! Alex Crook Drops Bombshell Warning to Rangers Chiefs: Sacking Martin Will Trigger Catastrophic Collapse!”

Jurgen Saumel’s Sturm Graz side secured victory over Rangers at Merkur-Arena on 2 October, leaving the Glasgow outfit pointless in the Europa League after two group-stage matches.

The result has only intensified the mounting pressure on manager Russell Martin, who is expected to face the sack within hours, having managed just five wins in his opening 16 games in charge.

Martin’s short reign has been nothing short of disastrous for the Light Blues, with performances on the pitch failing to inspire confidence and questions now swirling around the club’s leadership.

The decision to appoint him is being scrutinised, and those at the top of the Ibrox hierarchy could soon be forced to answer for the process that brought him in.

talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has been outspoken on the matter, stressing that Rangers’ summer recruitment of a new manager was mishandled from the start.

Speaking on 3 October, Crook claimed Martin was never the first-choice candidate, with both Steven Gerrard and even Jose Mourinho considered at earlier stages.

“Martin wasn’t top of their wanted list,” Crook explained.

“They tried for Gerrard, but he was happy to remain in Bahrain. At one stage, there were even fanciful discussions about Mourinho. The whole summer was messy.

They delayed the appointment, and by the time Martin came in, recruitment had already been well underway. If you sack a manager so early, you must also question those responsible for hiring him.”

Attention is now turning to sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who arrived at Ibrox in the summer and played a key role both in Martin’s appointment and in shaping the club’s recruitment strategy.

Many of the players brought in under his watch have struggled to make an impact, with the possible exception of Djeidi Gassama.

Thelwell’s own position could come under scrutiny if Martin’s dismissal becomes reality.

Across the Atlantic, Rangers’ American owners, led by Andrew Cavenagh, are also coming under pressure.

Their continued support of Martin is viewed as misplaced by a growing section of the fanbase, who believe the defeat to Sturm Graz should have been the final straw.

Supporters around Ibrox have already lost faith, with calls for change growing louder with every poor performance.

Instead of prolonging Martin’s troubled spell in charge, Rangers’ leadership may need to act swiftly and decisively.

Securing a replacement who can steady the ship, re-energise the squad, and rebuild trust with supporters looks essential if the Light Blues are to salvage their season.