DEEP into added time at Livingston, it looked like the game might finally be up for Russell Martin as Rangers manager.
But with 94 minutes on the clock, the Gers boss unleashed a somewhat rare outburst of emotion after a truly remarkable moment.
Martin was under immense pressure as Rangers headed to Livi without a win from any of their first five Premiership matches of the season so far.
The majority of Light Blues fans have seen enough and have been demanding his removal as boss for weeks now.
X-rated chants of “Martin, Martin get to f***” were once again audible throughout the match.
They were especially audible in the wake of Mo Sylla’s 68th minute leveller for Livi.
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It was a goal that looked likely to condemn Martin to another horror result.
That was until Max Aarons popped up in the 94th minute.
The unlikeliest of heroes, on-loan Bournemouth star Aarons hadn’t featured since being sent-off early on in the 6-0 thrashing by Club Brugge back on August 27.
He was sent on in the 73rd minute with Derek Cornelius injured – and popped up with a first goal in three years.
With the Gers’ need great, Aarons crashed the ball home at the back post after Nico Raskin had flicked on a James Tavernier cross.
Under-fire boss Martin hasn’t shown any signs of pressure getting to him, regularly insisting he doesn’t fear for his job despite the fan anger towards him.
But in a rare show of emotion, he was at the centre of some wild dugout celebrations.
Martin was spotted racing out of the dugout, wildly punching the air as commentator Neil McCann remarked “he knows how important that goal could be for him.”
The former Gers ace added: “You could see the relief on his face. Today was just about winning. Take three points and get off the pitch.”
It was a rare outburst of emotion for Martin, who as mentioned, has remained cool, calm and collected despite all of the noise surrounding him.
Aarons’ strike also sparked wild celebrations from the Rangers fans, many who spilled onto the pitch to celebrate.
Rangers head to take on Falkirk next Sunday in another big Premiership clash.
That game comes after another Europa League showdown, this time in Austria against Sturm Graz.
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