Under-fire Rangers Boss Russell Martin Brutally Branded a ‘Shallow Pep Guardiola Imposter’ After Nightmare Season Continues with Home Defeat to Hearts

Rangers Still Without a Win After Hearts Defeat

The storm clouds above Ibrox show no signs of clearing. Rangers boss Russell Martin, already under immense pressure following a dismal start to the season, has been savaged by pundits who branded him a “shallow Pep Guardiola imposter” after yet another crushing blow. A 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts has left the Glasgow giants languishing in 10th place in the Scottish Premiership—an unthinkable position for a club of Rangers’ stature.

For a fanbase accustomed to dominance, silverware, and at the very least a relentless pursuit of Celtic, Martin’s Rangers look worryingly adrift. The latest result extended their winless league run to five matches, and frustrations are spilling over both on the terraces and in the media. TalkSPORT pundits did not hold back, tearing into Martin’s philosophy and describing it as “self-sabotage” and “style over substance.”

Pundit Slams Martin’s ‘Fashionable Football’

The sharpest criticism came from analyst Max Scott, who accused Martin of dressing up flawed ideas in modern packaging.

“I just get the feeling there’s something shallow about Russell Martin’s approach,” Scott said. “He’s maybe cut from this cloth of managers that are essentially average imitators of Pep Guardiola—not even average, because they’re imposters. There’s no proof in the pudding. A time comes when a manager needs more than one weapon in his arsenal, and right now Martin looks like he’s out of ideas.”

Scott’s brutal take resonated with many fans who have grown weary of watching Rangers dominate possession but lack penetration. The passing patterns may look slick on the surface, but the end product has been minimal. Against Hearts, they recorded over 70% possession yet failed to trouble the opposition keeper consistently.

It’s a philosophy that might impress in coaching seminars or attract plaudits in theory, but in the harsh environment of Ibrox, results are all that matter.

Southampton Promotion Season: ‘Style Over Substance’

Adding fuel to the fire, commentator Jack Cunningham revisited Martin’s time at Southampton. While many heralded his promotion campaign with the Saints, Cunningham argued the warning signs were there all along.

“In all those games it was style over substance,” Cunningham said, pointing to heavy defeats such as a humiliating 5-0 loss to Sunderland. “That was the red flag. Martin’s teams pass and pass and pass, but where’s the bite? Where’s the pragmatism? Rangers aren’t Southampton. Here you’re expected to win 90 percent of your games, and you’re expected to compete in Europe. To lose 9-1 on aggregate in Europe is shambolic. Fans won’t take it, it’s as simple as that.”

Indeed, Rangers’ disastrous European exit has only worsened the mood. Losing is one thing, but losing in such a lopsided manner has been seen as nothing short of embarrassing for a club with a proud continental tradition.

Pep Guardiola Russell Martin Man City Southampton 2024-25

The Philosophy Problem

Martin’s philosophy is rooted in the principles of possession dominance, positional play, and building out from the back—ideas that Guardiola revolutionised at Barcelona and perfected at Manchester City. But critics argue Martin has taken the theory without understanding the nuance.

At Rangers, the gulf in resources compared to most domestic rivals means dominating the ball is expected. But what fans demand is ruthlessness, efficiency, and adaptability. The problem, as highlighted by pundits, is that Martin appears wedded to one idea and unwilling to compromise.

His team may look neat against lower opposition, but when tested—either by well-drilled Premiership sides like Hearts or on the European stage—they appear brittle, predictable, and devoid of Plan B.

A Toxic Atmosphere at Ibrox

The word “toxic” has been frequently used in recent weeks to describe the atmosphere at Ibrox. Fans are turning quickly, and the relationship between the stands and the dugout feels strained. The patience that any new manager requires has been eroded by poor performances, uninspired tactics, and a sense that the club is drifting without clear direction.

Banners have appeared calling for change, boos have greeted substitutions, and even the usually loyal core of supporters seem unconvinced by Martin’s vision. The sense of disconnect is palpable, and once that bond frays at a club like Rangers, it is notoriously hard to repair.

A Pattern of Struggles

Martin’s critics also highlight his managerial CV. After guiding Southampton to promotion, he endured a woeful return to the Premier League, winning just one of 16 matches before being sacked last December. Those who doubted his appointment at Ibrox pointed to that record as evidence of his limitations at the highest level.

Since arriving in Glasgow, he has yet to find consistency or win over a skeptical fanbase. With Rangers currently 10th, closer to the bottom than the top, and having endured humiliation in Europe, his credit with supporters has all but evaporated.

What Next for Russell Martin?

Russell Martin

The big question now is whether Martin has the capacity—or the time—to turn things around. The calls for him to adapt are growing louder. Critics argue that unless he shows flexibility and a willingness to prioritise results over aesthetics, his tenure could be short-lived.

Former players have stressed the unique demands of the Rangers job. It is not just about tactics—it is about mentality, about coping with relentless pressure, about understanding that in Glasgow, winning is non-negotiable. Style is welcomed, but only as a complement to success, never as a substitute.

Conclusion: ‘Shallow Pep Guardiola Imposter’ or Misunderstood Visionary?

The headline is damning: Under-fire Rangers boss Russell Martin brutally branded a ‘shallow Pep Guardiola imposter’ after nightmare season continues with home defeat to Hearts. It encapsulates the narrative currently swirling around Ibrox: a manager clinging to ideals, yet failing to produce results.

But is Martin truly a shallow imitation, or simply a coach struggling to implement long-term ideas in a short-term results-driven environment? Some will argue he deserves more time, that revolutions in style cannot be judged after just a handful of games. Others will counter that Rangers are not a club where patience exists, especially when defeat after defeat piles up.

One thing is certain: Martin stands at a crossroads. Continue down the same path, and he risks being remembered as another failed experiment. Show adaptability, grit, and pragmatism, and he may yet rewrite the story. For now, however, the knives are out—and they are sharp.