Steven Naismith has been saddened to see his former Scotland team mate Russell Martin endure such a difficult time as Rangers manager this season and was upset when he learned the man he lined up alongside on international duty on numerous occasions had been sacked on Sunday night.

The ex-Ibrox forward has, too, been unsettled by the level of vitriol and abuse which has been aimed in the direction of the one-time centre-half by increasingly irate supporters as his old side has struggled in recent weeks.

And he was shocked to see the ugly scenes which broke out in Falkirk on Sunday after the visitors were held to a 1-1 draw by their promoted hosts in a William Hill Premiership fixture – ultras blocked their team bus in the car park and Martin required a police escort out of the stadium.

But Naismith, who was sacked as Hearts manager in September last year following a slump in form, has stressed that witnessing the difficulties which the former MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton head coach has had to deal with since being appointed has by no means...