Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell believes the club could be entering a season-defining period as they bid to avert a full-blown crisis at Ibrox.

A lacklustre 1-1 draw at St Mirren on Sunday afternoon continued their poor form under new boss Russell Martin.

By not winning any of his first three league matches, Martin has now had the poorest beginning of any Rangers manager in 36 years, with his team positioned at seventh place in the Premiership.

Martin’s misfiring side will then face Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday – already trailing their bitter rivals by six points in the title race.

With fans already calling for the manager to be sacked, it promises to be a massive week for Martin if he is to turn things around.

Russell Martin can hardly look after his side dropped more points against St Mirren

Rangers have struggled in the league – drawing all three of their opening matches

Thelo Aasgaard and his fellow new signings have struggled to hit the ground running

When questioned about the significance of the two upcoming games for Rangers this week, along with the crisis looming over the club, Rothwell commented, ‘I believe we need to try our best to ignore it as much as possible.

‘We know the magnitude of the games that are coming up. Obviously, Wednesday night is a massive game for us against Brugge.

‘If we can go there and turn that tie around, then it’ll obviously give us massive confidence going into the weekend game.

‘And then we play that game (against Celtic), who knows where it can take us if we manage to pick up three points?

This could potentially be a pivotal week, with two crucial games in different tournaments, and our goal is to compete in the Champions League.

If we can achieve that, we can carry the momentum into Sunday’s game, which might be a turning point for our season.

Currently, things are not quite working, both individually and as a team, and from my perspective, there is no one more disappointed with our current performance.

‘But as I say, we just need to stick together, keep working hard and doing what we’re doing on the training ground and hopefully we’re not far away.’

Asked if there is still a belief within the squad that Rangers can mount a title challenge, Rothwell continued: ‘We have to believe that.

‘It’s six points (gap to Celtic) at the minute. Obviously we play them on Sunday and, if we get a result, it’s down to three.

‘Then obviously things might start to swing and a bit of positive momentum in our direction and then we can obviously hopefully kick on from there.

‘Everyone’s really disappointed with how the season started, nothing just seems to be quite clicking for us at the minute.

‘So we just need to stick together, keep doing what we’re doing on the training ground, and then hopefully the results start to come for us.’

There is a growing sense of unrest among the Rangers supporters, with fans once again venting their anger at full-time in Paisley on Sunday.

This situation followed a disastrous showing against Brugge in the first leg last week, which led many fans to leave Ibrox early as Rangers trailed 3-0 after only 20 minutes.

Rangers also have issues with Hamza Igamane, who appears on the way out of Ibrox

Rothwell accepts that fans are within their rights to express their frustration, adding: ‘Obviously, there’s been no one more disappointed than the fans. They pay their money to come and watch us and us get the results for them.

‘But as I say, inside the change room, we’re all still together and we know that we’re just that little bit away from where we want to be but there’s so many games coming thick and fast that there’s a chance for us to go out there and really show what we want to do.

‘And hopefully then the results will start to turn for us. Speaking to a few people, I knew what to expect before coming here.

‘The fans just want the results and we want to give it to them and at the minute, it’s just not quite going how we want it to go, but obviously they’re entitled to be disappointed, as we expect.

‘But we just need them to obviously stick with us and rally together and hopefully then we’re not far away from getting the results.’