Paisley shocker as Rangers striker Hamza refuses to play for Russell Martin | OneFootball

Russell Martin confirmed after the dire showing in Paisley that Hamza Igamane refused to come on as a sub. The forward told his manager he was carrying an injury. Yet Rangers fans saw him moving freely on the bench. If ever a Rangers regime was collapsing fast so early into its tenure it is this one. Supporters could not believe their eyes as the striker sat out a match that needed his presence.

The situation exposes the lack of control Martin has inside the dressing room. A Rangers manager cannot allow a player to pick and choose when he features. Many bosses have faced testing characters before yet they always made the final call. The fact Igamane sat tight and never took the field tells a much bigger story. Rangers look leaderless and weak under the current set up.

It gets worse because the fallout stretches beyond one player. When a forward refuses to enter, every other squad member takes note. Discipline fades quickly when authority looks fragile. Rangers fans saw similar issues in previous failed eras and history looks like repeating again. Martin needed Igamane in the closing stages, but the Moroccan waved him off. That is a crisis moment in any season.

Furthermore, the excuse of injury does not hold up. Injured players do not warm up or jog across the touchline. The Guardian match report on Bruges showed Rangers looking fragile already in Europe and this latest farce only deepens the malaise. Martin can try to protect Igamane but that only deepens the anger. Rangers cannot afford luxury players who decide when to play. This is not about one sub appearance, it is about respect and control inside the camp.

The consequences are clear. Rangers fans are furious and trust is draining. They have seen false dawns under weak leaders before and they know the signs. Celtic will smell blood if this continues. No manager survives long when players hold the cards. Martin faces a fight to convince his squad and his support that he is in charge. Hamza Igamane refused to come on as a sub.

The key question is simple. Can Martin wrestle control back or has he already lost the dressing room? Every big Rangers regime that failed showed early warning signs. This episode is a blazing siren. If Igamane can refuse minutes in Paisley, what happens in bigger matches? Rangers cannot compete when internal collapse unfolds before the first quarter of the season.

Supporters demand strong leadership. They demand players respect the shirt. Martin has a matter of weeks to prove he can supply both. If not, the collapse that has already begun will finish him quickly.