Rangers have endured a torrid time under new manager Russell Martin this season, and with a crunch Old Firm clash against Celtic on the horizon, things are already looking pear-shaped.
The Gers suffered a humiliating exit from the Champions League after being battered 9-1 on aggregate by Belgian side Club Brugge, adding to the pressure Martin is increasingly under amid a tough start to life in Glasgow.
Overall, Martin has won three, drawn four and lost three of his ten matches in charge since joining from Southampton in the summer, with the Teddy Bears shockingly yet to win a single Scottish Premiership game this season.
It quite simply isn’t good enough, and barring a dramatic turnaround, Ibrox chiefs and the 49ers may have to admit they made a mistake by appointing Martin – even if it is still very early days.
Rangers tipped to make "box-office" hire to replace Russell Martin
Speaking to The Mail, finance expert Andy Mason, who helped to broker the deal which saw Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises take over the club earlier this summer, has told Rangers to make a blockbuster hire – explaining why Martin may not be the right fit after all.
“Like every other Rangers fan, I was horrified by what I watched on Wednesday night against Brugge. I struggle to really recall anything that could top that. Just in terms of the manner of the performance, that’s probably as bad as I’ve seen us,” Mason said.
“Given the level of anger among supporters, it’s pretty clear already that Russell Martin isn’t the right man to take this forward.
“That will only escalate further if they lose to Celtic. The Americans will be there on Sunday. They will feel it themselves in terms of the atmosphere. It’s toxic.
“Martin’s system just doesn’t work in Glasgow. The pressure is too intense. You can’t experiment or have project managers. You need to win games and compete in Europe.
“The Americans need to show strong leadership and just admit that they have probably made a mistake in hiring him. There needs to be a change.”
Mason went on to suggest who he believes is the perfect candidate to step into Martin’s shoes – now-former Fenerbahçe boss José Mourinho.
The ‘special one’ was unceremoniously sacked after failing to qualify for the Champions League via qualifiers, and he’s readily available for the Glaswegians to poach.
“The fact that José Mourinho is now available is bound to be hugely appealing to supporters,” Mason expanded.
“If Rangers could get that done, that would be one hell of an appointment. He would be absolutely box-office and would unite the entire fanbase pretty much instantly.
“He would also instil some backbone and some character in the squad, which is something that’s sorely lacking at the moment.
“I believe he would also help come of the current players like Oliver Antman, Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama.
“He would coach them and make something of them. His experience would help improve the value of those assets, whereas sticking with Martin would divest it.
“Mourinho is a legendary figure in the game, one of the best managers we’ve seen over the past 25 years or so.”
Of his ludicrously long list of honours, Mourinho boasts four ‘World’s Best Coach’ awards, three Premier League titles, two Champions League winners’ medals (with tournament underdogs) and has got his hands on a trophy at almost every club he’s been to (bar Tottenham and Fenerbache).
The 62-year-old doesn’t have long left in the beautiful game, so why not add a Scottish Premiership to his already-illustrious CV?
Rangers were advised on Sean Dyche before electing to hire Martin, but Mourinho would be a major coup.
