Rangers this morning started the task of finding a replacement for Russell Martin with former manager Ally McCoist urging the board not to underestimate the size of the job at Ibrox.
Martin’s miserable 123-day tenure ended on Sunday night, just hours after furious fans attempted to confront the 39-year-old and the players in the car park following the 1-1 draw at Falkirk.
Muscat and Gerrard in frame for Rangers job
Kevin Muscat and Steven Gerrard are among the names reportedly under consideration but McCoist believes it is important those making the appointment understand the difficulty of managing one half of the Old Firm.
He told talkSPORT: “I don’t know because I’m obviously speaking from the outside looking in but I think probably the new owners and certainly the old management staff probably underestimated the size of the job and the task.
“I think there’s a lot of people maybe just look a little bit at Scottish football and say ‘Celtic and Rangers will win their games and that’s it finished’ but football is a lot more difficult than that.
“I just think that aligned to really poor business in the transfer market in terms of recruitment.
“I’m looking at that team and it’s easy to blame the manager and that’s where the buck stops, it’s at the manager’s door, that’s what happens but the players have got to take some of the responsibility.
“The buck rightly and understandably stops at the manager but sometimes when you get on the pitch you’ve got to take responsibility but Rangers look like wee boys.
“Falkirk outran Rangers, outfought Rangers and that can happen occasionally but it’s been happening on a regular basis.”
It could have been worse for Rangers – McCoist
Martin won five of his 17 games in charge in all competitions with Rangers eighth in the Scottish Premiership table.
And that was despite a relatively easy fixture list, according to McCoist.
He added: “17 games, five wins, six draws, six defeats, eighth in the table.
“The away games – you’ve been to St Mirren, Motherwell, Falkirk, it’s not as if you’ve been to Celtic, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen.
“These are the games you’re expected to win. At this moment in time Rangers are incapable of going anywhere and giving their fans a massive degree of confidence wherever they’re playing.
“The opposition, no matter who they’re playing, smell blood.
“Unlike a wounded animal – a wounded animal can be very, very dangerous – Rangers are a wounded animal but look anything but dangerous.”
Rangers statement ends Martin tenure
Rangers released a statement confirming Martin’s departure last night which read: “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.”
Odds for next Rangers boss (odds supplied by bet365, all prices correct as of 1020, Oct 6)
Steven Gerrard 7/4
Sean Dyche 9/4
Danny Rohl 11/2
Kevin Muscat 6/1
Mark van Bommel 13/2
