In hindsight, given what we can charitably call the 'reputation' of Rangers fans, a vegan Buddhist like former Swansea boss Russell Martin was never likely to bond well with the Ibrox faithful. Nevertheless, this summer saw a club linked to Protestant absolutism appoint a card-carrying Green Party member to it's top job. Let's see how that went, shall we?
Martin is known for tactics as progressive as his politics, with passing triangles and ball retention at the heart of the 39-year-old's philosophy. Essentially a reverse Sean Dyche, the former defender's 23/24 Southampton side was anything but defensively minded, topping charts for possession and passing statistics.
Comparing that Southampton side to Martin's short stint in Glasgow, there's surprisingly little difference in terms of stats. This season's Rangers are second only to neighbours Celtic in average possession and accurate passes per 90; they've even won the most corners in the SPFL. If ever one needed reminding that football is not played on a spreadsheet, though, Russell Martin is the man to do it. His daring football has delivered Rangers boldly to the status of European football's court jesters.
Standoffish with the press and abrasive towards fans, Martin's sacking was an inevitability from almost his first game. A relatively strong start in Europe soon gave way to the world's most miserable continental tour, as the Teddy Bears were dismantled home and away by Club Brugge.
Martin's sacking was an inevitability from almost his first game.
Domestic form wasn't any saviour for our footballing vegan, either. Russell's keen on stats, so let's use some to demonstrate just how bad his tenure was. Rangers' "Goals conceded against Club Brugge alone" (9) outranks their domestic points tally (8) at time of writing. A club with 55 SPFL titles to it's name, 'Gers now languish in the division's bottom half.
If we're charitable, Rangers only lost one league game under the Martin dynasty - see, its not all bad! Hold your horses though, because they also only won one - never mind!
Max Aarons, a former teammate of Martin at Norwich, delivered a sole league victory for Glasgow's blue side with his last-minute strike away at Livingston. Any relief his manager may have felt, however, was soon wiped away as the travelling Rangers fans celebrated the goal by chanting "Martin, get tae f**k".
Martin said it was time for him and his squad to "get to work" over the international break. His employers had other ideas.
It took just two further games for the Rangers board to oblige, notably a miserable draw away at newly-promoted Falkirk. When interviewed following the game, Martin said it was time for him and his squad to "get to work" over the international break. His employers had other ideas.
Perhaps it's too late to be 'simply the best', but with Danny Rohl, who worked wonders at Sheffield Wednesday, rumoured to be making a spectacular move to Ibrox, there's still time for the Glasgow club.