Steven Gerrard ally calls on Rangers boss Russell Martin to be sacked

In an explosive exclusive interview with Record Sport Ibrox title winner and lifelong fan has urged the board to pull the plug

Former Rangers star Greg Stewart has urged the Ibrox board to pull the plug on their Russell Martin experiment — before it blows up another season’s trophy hopes.

Beleaguered boss Martin is facing a full-scale fan revolt after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Hearts left his side sitting TENTH in the Premiership table five games in, only a point above the relegation slots.

The Jambos shocker, which leaves the Light Blues nine points adrift of early pacesetters Celtic and Hearts, comes hot on the heels of a record-equalling 6-0 Champions League hammering at the hands of Club Brugge.

The club’s new American owners Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe are continuing to stand by Martin despite the Ibrox faithful uniting in one voice at the weekend to tell the former Southampton gaffer to “get to f***”.

As things stand, he’ll be in charge for this Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter final clash with Hibs.

But Stewart - a member of the club’s 2021 title-winning squad and a lifelong supporter - fears his beloved Gers are destined for another major stumble unless a change is made and made quick.

And the ex-Ibrox ace knows exactly who he wants in as Martin’s replacement – Steven Gerrard.

In an explosive interview with Record Sport, he said: “I just can't see any way out for Russell Martin. For me, the board needs to come out and admit they got it wrong.

“If they don't do it now, then the season could be done. I'm not joking. I'm a fan just as well as a former player.

“If the board doesn't act soon and put their hands up to admit their mistake, then you can just write the season off.

“We've got a League Cup quarter-final this week against Hibs. We could be out of another cup because this Hibs' team are no mugs either.”

Stewart joined his boyhood heroes from Birmingham in 2019.

His first season ended in disappointment as a winter collapse allowed Celtic to storm ahead before the campaign was curtailed by the Covid pandemic.

But his second term at Ibrox ended with scenes of Gers joy as Gerrard’s Invincibles clinched the club’s first title in a decade.

The former Liverpool skipper was lured south to Aston Villa six months later and there’s been little reason for celebration in Govan since.

But Stewart believes his old boss is the man to bring the good times back to Ibrox - and has told new chairman Cavenagh he is even willing to make the introductory call himself.

“Bringing Steven back is an absolute no-brainer for me,” he declared. “One hundred percent go get him. I’m ready to phone him myself.

“There's one thing you'll see again with a Steven Gerrard team, it's a style that makes us hard to beat and which allows us to score goals.

“Right now, it looks like there's no alignment at the club, from the players to the staff and from the dressing room up to board.

“It's so hard to watch. I watch all the games and it just ruins my weekend. That's how I still feel about it.

“I'm still a fan. I'm just like anyone else. I was obviously fortunate enough to play for the club but I just can't see any way how this gets better under Russell Martin.

“This is nothing personal - I’ve got nothing against Russell Martin as a man. But football is the business we’re in and this is what happens when you don’t get results.

“Being totally honest, this is one of the worst Rangers teams I’ve seen in my time as a supporter and that’s saying something considering some of the tough times we’ve had in recent years.”

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