Rangers extended losing run as Celtic secured vital victory at Kilmarnock

Martin hanging by a thread

Russell Martin may well be sacked not too long after this article is published, and for many Rangers fans, his departure won't come a moment too soon.

The Gers are 10th. Let that sink in for a moment. After five matches played, it's the 55-time Scottish champions' worst start to a season in 47 years.

Their latest defeat, 2-0 to Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday, was met with loud boos from the home support, with sections calling for Martin’s removal. 

Asked afterwards if he would consider resigning, the 39-year-old was unequivocal. “No,” he said. 

Rangers have the quality in their squad to turn things around, but they're already playing catch-up, and a huge question mark remains hanging over Martin's head. 

Warring Celtic scrape through

Across Glasgow, Celtic’s week was overshadowed by reports of unrest behind the scenes with Brendan Rodgers calling out a “cowardly” leak to the press.

A British tabloid claimed the Northern Irishman was angling for a Premier League return, with Nottingham Forest and West Ham believed to be keen over the summer.

To his credit, Rodgers has done well to put the rumours behind him as Celtic remain unbeaten this season, winning four of their opening five matches.

Kilmarnock threatened to snatch two points away from the Hoops on Sunday, though, as David Watson’s 83rd-minute equaliser looked to have earned a draw, before summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho converted a penalty deep into added time. 

The 2-1 win keeps Celtic at the top of the Premiership table, level on points with Derek McInnes' high-flying Hearts. 

Hearts open seven-point gap

Third-placed Hibernian have a game in hand, but Hearts can rest easy knowing they've opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and their city rivals. 

With Rangers' non-start to the season, the Jam Tarts have looked like the biggest beneficiaries of what is shaping up to be an upset to the Scottish duopoly - aided by their win at Ibrox on Saturday.

With Falkirk up next, and Hibs due to play Celtic before a mouth-watering Edinburgh derby on 4th October, yet more ground could be made by Hearts in the early battle for places.

To be clear, Hibernian will play their catch-up match - which is also against Falkirk - before the derby, which sets the narrative up very nicely.

Early though it is, the dynamics of the Premiership table have shifted. With Rangers still stumbling, Hearts could be at the centre of the season's most tantalising tale.

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