Updated at 22.58

RUSSELL MARTIN has been sacked as Rangers head coach after a 1-1 draw with Falkirk left them in the bottom half of the William Hill Premiership.

Martin has only presided over one victory in seven league games in charge and needed mounted police to help escort him out of the Falkirk Stadium car park as Rangers fans vented their anger.

A club statement 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.”

The former Milton Keynes Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager secured just five wins in 17 games overall, and Rangers have lost their opening two Europa League games after failing to make the Champions League.

Martin has left Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, though, with a Hampden derby with Celtic to come on 2 November.

Rangers confirmed that Martin’s assistant, Matt Gill, and first-team coach Mike Williamson would also be departing.

“Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club,” the statement added. “We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

“Further updates from the club will follow in due course.”

Martin was appointed exactly four months ago after a lengthy recruitment process which followed Philippe Clement’s sacking in February.

Former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson took interim charge in the final months of the season as part of a management team involving former team-mates Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor.

Martin’s appointment came after a takeover by an American consortium that involves 49ers Enterprises and the new regime, plus chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell will now face major pressure to get the next appointment right.

Earlier, Martin accepted full responsibility after another dismal performance ended with a 1-1 draw at Falkirk, after which enraged fans tried to block the team bus from leaving the ground.

When striker Bojan Miovski tapped in after 41 minutes, the travelling supporters again turned their ire on the Gers boss, and there were repeated chants against the former Southampton manager before and after John McGlynn’s side deservedly levelled in the 73rd minute through substitute Henry Cartwright.

Afterwards, Gers fans sat down to attempt to stop the bus leaving, but they were dispersed by the police. Images showed that Martin was escorted out of another part of the stadium by security guards before reportedly leaving in a car.

The Ibrox side are in eighth place with one win in seven William Hill Premiership fixtures, 11 points behind leaders Hearts and nine behind Celtic and Martin, who described the chants as “character building”, was asked if he was getting enough from the players.

He said: “They’re giving us everything they’ve got. I think they’re really trying. So I have to take responsibility for it, not them.

“There’s been some really honest discussions with them in the dressing room, some frustration with them and each other, but ultimately I’m the one in charge of the team, so I have to accept responsibility. We haven’t had enough wins on days like today, so it’s been a frustrating period.”

Martin post-match conceded the backing of the Ibrox board is not infinite, but remains confident that he can get it right.

He said: “I think it’s the same everywhere. Just this club is intensified, and the scrutiny is much higher, the noise is much louder.

“So every draw we’ve had has felt like a defeat because of the stature of this club and what it means and what we have to try and fight for.

“So I can’t answer your question really, you’d have to ask the people above me.

“I feel that the players and the staff are really behind me. I felt really supported by everyone else above me as well, and I can’t dictate whether that changes or not.

“I have to just try and focus on winning football matches (and we can do that) because of what I see every day with the players, how invested they are in it, how hard they run.

“If I felt any differently, I would feel differently here. It probably wouldn’t hurt as much, but I know they’re really trying.”

McGlynn expressed sympathy for his counterpart but admitted he scented blood after Rangers’ 2-1 defeat by Sturm Graz in Austria on Thursday night

The Falkirk boss said: “Absolutely, you’ve got to have sympathy for Russell. It’s not nice.

“As a manager, you’re trying to do your best. But we smelled blood today.

“There would be something wrong if I didn’t mention that to the players this week.

“European football is difficult, and they were in Austria last week. We had to take advantage of that.

“There have been ongoing issues with Rangers and the fans. Russell doesn’t necessarily get a break, and I’m extremely sympathetic.

“That’s never happened before (chant against the manager after the team scores). I’ve never heard that. It’s very strange, but we knew it would happen.

“It happened last week, so it was going to happen this week.”