RUSSELL MARTIN has been sacked as Rangers boss, it’s now been confirmed.
Ibrox chiefs held crisis talks over his future after today’s 1-1 draw with Falkirk.
And Martin, 39, has been axed after just 123 days in charge.
A club statement said: “Rangers Football Club confirms that it has parted company with Head Coach, Russell Martin.
“While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club’s expectations.
“Assistant Head Coach, Matt Gill, and First-Team Coach, Mike Williamson, will also be departing.
“Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future.
“Further updates from the club will follow in due course.”
Martin was only appointed as manager on a three-year contract in June after the club’s takeover.
But he’ll go down as the club’s shortest serving permanent manager.
US-based chairman Andrew Cavenagh tried desperately to resist intense fan pressure to bullet Martin.
But it was decided the situation couldn’t go on.
Supporters will now celebrate Martin’s dismissal having spent weeks chanting for him to go.
The former Southampton boss required a police escort to leave Falkirk’s stadium through a side exit.
In his earlier press conference he vowed to battle on despite just ONE win in seven league games.
Martin said: “The players are giving us everything they’ve got.
“I think they’re really trying, they’re really, really trying.
“So I have to take responsibility for it, not them.
“There’s been some really honest discussion with them in the dressing room, some frustration with them and each other.
“But ultimately I’m the one in charge of the team, so I have to accept responsibility.
“We haven’t had enough wins on days like today, so it’s been a frustrating period.”
Gers chief executive Patrick Stewart was at the match and also left through a side exit.
Grilled on his future, Martin insisted he was NOT expecting any talks with club chiefs.
He added: “Not that I know of.
“We talk after every game, so I expect to have a chat with them. But out of the ordinary, no, not at the moment.
“Every draw we’ve had has felt like a defeat because of the stature of this club and what it means and what we have to try and fight for.
“So I can’t answer your question really, you’d have to ask the people above me.
“I feel that the players and the staff are really, really behind me.
“I felt really supported by everyone else above me as well, and I can’t dictate whether that changes or not.
“So that’s out of control for me, I have to just try and focus on winning football matches.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, I knew it probably wasn’t going to be quick, but we’re a club which patience is not a word that is used
“So I really believe I can. I believe that at every club I’ve been at and it’s led me to here now.
“But I have to accept responsibility and we have to try and learn and really grow through these moments and understand why.”
Rangers fans again chanted for Martin to be sacked after the team scored to take the lead through Bojan Miovski.
Martin added: “I’ve got pretty used to it over the last few weeks. So it’s certainly character building.”
Bairns boss John McGlynn added: you’ve got to have sympathy for Russell. It’s not nice.
“As a manager, you’re trying to do your best. But we smelt blood today.
“There would be something wrong if I didn’t mention that to the players this week.
“European football is difficult and they were in Austria last week. We had to take advantage of that.
“There have been ongoing issues with Rangers and the fans. Russell doesn’t necessarily get a break and I’m extremely sympathetic.
“Have I ever experienced anything like an opposition team scoring and then away fans shouting for the manager to go? No, never.
“That’s never happened before, I’ve never heard that. It’s very strange but we knew it would happen.
“It happened last week so it was going to happen this week.”
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