SUNDAY DISSERVICE

Russell missed bus and that was the cue for Gers chiefs to call taxi for the beleaguered manager

- BY SCOTT MCDERMOTT

THE Rangers team bus needed the police to get out of Falkirk at full-time.

While Russell Martin had to be escorted out of a stadium side door on his own - to avoid a baying mob.

For anyone on the outside of this Rangers mess, it was pretty clear that this simply could no longer go on.

And yesterday was enough to change the minds of those on the inside.

After all, they've allowed it to fester this long. Falkirk was a pivotal moment for Martin, his staff and the Rangers players.

Not just because cops with batons had to stop punters from holding a sit-down protest in front of their Park's bus at full-time.

Or that Martin needed protecting on his way out of the ground.

No, on top of all of that was the fact that Rangers are almost certainly out of any potential Premiership title race - if they weren't already.

Incredibly, after just one league win, they're eighth in the table - nine points behind Celtic and 11 adrift of leaders Hearts.

At times on Sunday, Martin's men were outplayed and outfought by John McGlynn's newly-promoted side.

The home side probably deserved a victory.

As for Rangers, after going a goal up at half-time through Bojan Miovski, they disappeared after the break.

They could only muster two shots on target during 90-odd minutes - the Macedonian's goal and a powderpuff attempt from £10million striker Youssef Chermiti.

There have been some low moments in Martin's tenure already this season.

But this one felt different.

Especially when those seething supporters surrounded the team bus afterwards.

And they got their wish just a few hours later, it was taxi for Martin and a one-way trip back down south.