He's been in the hotseat less than three months but Russell Martin could be entering his Rangers endgame already.

Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Hearts has cranked up the pressure to almost unbearable levels as Gers slipped to TENTH in the Scottish Premiership table.

The Light Blues are without a league win all season and any sliver of credit that the goalless draw at home to Celtic before the international break may have afforded the manager was wiped out this weekend.

The Jambos were relatively comfortable in Govan after ending a 4000-plus day wait to win there.

Fans were streaming for the exits almost immediately after Lawrence Shankland - who was available on a free transfer this summer - netted the rebound from a saved penalty to bag a brace and ensure the three points headed back along the M8.

Now all eyes are on the new Ibrox hierarchy to see what they'll do.

The unknown factor of the 49ers Enterprises means no-one is quite sure if this really is the end just yet for Martin.

But Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh will be well aware that the support is already out of patience with Martin and they may feel they have to act far sooner than anyone would have anticipated so soon after their summer takeover.