Paddy Stewart was involved in an incredible clash with an angry Ibrox fan this morning during which he asked the fan who he’d bring in to replace Russell Martin.
Director of Football Kev Thelwell was also involved in a discussion with a fan that was captured on mobile phones following the 2-1 Europa League defeat from Sturm Graz.
The joy of a scrambled late winner away to Livingston was quickly wiped out as Graz raced into an early 2-0 lead, threatening to do a Brugge with simple goals that exposed the problems in the Ibrox defence.
Graz don’t have the class of Belgian side but held on for their victory which resulted in Martin openly questioning the mentality of his players, using that phrase four times in his post match interview with TNT Sport.
Those comments quickly make their way to the dressing room, when the Ibrox Tribute Act manage a win it is due to the tactical brilliance of their manager, when they lose or draw the blame lies with the players.
With Martin being subjected to an unprecedented level of daily hatred it is only a matter of timing before the official announcement, and pay off is made. The international break looks like the perfect opportunity to part ways.
Coming in with the Christian name of Patrick it was never going to be an easy task for the dull Aberdonian, Ibrox social media circles are convinced that their CEO uses and Irish passport.
After 10 months of constant errors from twice publicly backing Phil Clement to slamming the racist actions of the Union Bears Stewart has shown that he is out of his comfort zone in the Ibrox hot seat.
In the lobby of a hotel in Graz, Paddy got drawn into an incredible exchange with a tired and emotional bear.
Just seen this and the lads are absolutely spot on giving them a hard time 😡 the pair of them and Martin need to leave !!! We are a mess pic.twitter.com/OVipyMSYrD
— aye-ready (@StevieMojo1872) October 3, 2025
The angry bear was amazed at the question asked by his club’s Chief Executive Officer, the guy that appointed Martin after SEVEN rounds of interviews, it is believed that the other candidates called off due to boredom.
Why are you asking me who I would bring in, that’s no my job. That’s your job, why are you bringing it back on the fans. It’s rotten.
Michael Beale would have beaten every one of these teams. Philippe Clement would have beaten them too. Michael Beale would have beaten Genk, Michael Beale would have beaten Dundee, Michael Beale would have beaten all these f***ing sides.
What has he f***ing won? Every c*** is f***ing scunnered.
The anger and protests against Martin have gone way past the traditional ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ levels.
There is an edge of venom to the protests, before the League Cup win over Hibs fans on the other side of the dressing room wall were screaming ‘Martin, Martin get tae f**k’ alongside ‘Russell Martin, why don’t you go home’.
Having been denied their wish the Ibrox fans are increasingly turning on Stewart and Thelwell, after decades in English football they have no grasp of the anger levels among Ibrox fans.
When they are getting confronted face to face in a five star Austrian hotel the Ibrox executives can be in no doubt about the levels of hatred that their manager has generated.
Whether they want to or not they know that Martin has to be sacked as soon as the international break starts otherwise they’ll be getting more foul mouthed Graz-style confrontations.
Thelwell is about to appoint his 26-year-old son Robbie as Head of Recruitment, a move that Martin is supportive of.
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