Rangers boss Russell Martin plays down crisis as Cavenagh visits amid protests

Rangers manager Russell Martin says he can cope with hostile protests and has welcomed the backing of chairman Andrew Cavenagh as the club prepare for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Hibs. The calamitous start to the season leaves Rangers waiting for a first league win under Martin and nine points off the title pace after five rounds. Martin was subjected to vitriolic abuse during last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts.

American businessman Andrew Cavenagh, leader of the 49ers Enterprises consortium who took control of Rangers in May, arrived in Glasgow late on Thursday night and met with Martin at Ibrox on Friday ahead of the cup tie. Fans group Union Bears are planning a demonstration outside the stadium before kick-off, calling for the removal of both Martin and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

'I knew he was coming a couple of weeks ago,' Martin said. 'He's been great. Him, Paraag Marathe and all the guys have been amazing in their support for what we are doing.' 'The fans' protests and stuff, I can't control at all, so I don't spend any time on it. I have to respect it and understand their frustration and annoyance. I feel every bit of it as well.' 'When you get to my age and experience, you can stand there and take pretty much anything, to be honest. Sometimes, the more noise there is, the more opinion there is, it's actually easier to ignore because it just becomes a big blur. But I do think it's an amazing opportunity for us as a team to come through this period, to grow through it and be so strong from it. Hopefully, at that point everyone will come together. We just need to win football matches.' 'I can't take the fans' protests personally because I don't know any of them and they don't know me. They don't know how hard we are working. The people inside the building, I feel incredibly well supported - the players, the staff, ownership. As long as that continues, it will be fine.'

'For us as a group, it's really important,' he said. 'We've got a chance to get into the semi-final of a cup and achieving silverware which is what we are here for. We want to put on a performance on the pitch we actually like, enjoy, wins us the game and something we can build from.' 'In terms of all the rest, I can't answer how significant it is, because I can't control it. All I want to see is a team which plays with the intensity and togetherness I see on the training pitch and also on the top of a hill after a long walk.'

Looking to the cup quarter-final, Martin stressed that a positive result would be a turning point for Rangers’ season and a step toward competing for silverware. He said the match offers a real opportunity to reach the semi-finals and build momentum despite the early-season scrutiny.

With Cavenagh's arrival and the ongoing support from Rangers' ownership, Martin said the environment inside the club remains stable and the focus is strictly on improving results. The protests outside the stadium mirror the broader pressure on the team, but club officials have emphasized backing for the manager as the team seeks a decisive win to kick-start a better run.