The storm clouds are gathering over Ibrox as Rangers FC's catastrophic start to the Scottish Premiership season has reached a historic low point not witnessed in over three decades.
Saturday's dismal 1-0 defeat to St Mirren in Paisley has confirmed this as the club's worst league opening since 1987, plunging manager Philippe Martin into a deepening crisis and leaving fans in a state of open revolt.
A Record of Despair
The statistics make for grim reading for the Light Blues faithful. With just five points from their first five matches, this represents the most feeble beginning to a league campaign in 36 years. The defeat at the SMiSA Stadium marks the first time St Mirren have defeated Rangers in a top-flight match since 1993, adding further humiliation to an already dire situation.
Captain James Tavernier did not mince words after the final whistle, describing the performance as "nowhere near good enough" and acknowledging that the players had "let the manager down" in what can only be described as a massive understatement of the club's current predicament.
Martin Under Fire
The pressure on Philippe Martin has reached boiling point. The French manager, who arrived amidst considerable optimism during the summer, now finds himself at the centre of a growing storm of criticism. His tactical decisions and team selections are being openly questioned by pundits and supporters alike.
Despite controlling possession for large periods of the game, Rangers created precious few clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised St Mirren defence. The lack of creativity and cutting edge in the final third has become a recurring theme throughout this disastrous start to the season.
What Comes Next?
With the international break now upon us, Martin has been handed a brief respite to address the glaring issues within his squad. However, the fixture list offers little comfort upon their return, with crucial matches looming that could ultimately define the manager's fate.
The Ibrox hierarchy now faces a critical decision: whether to back their manager through this turbulent period or make a change before the season slips completely beyond repair. One thing is certain – Rangers cannot afford many more results like the humiliation suffered in Paisley if they harbour any ambitions of challenging for the title.
