SPFL would allow Rangers fixture postponement U-turn as St Mirren caught in middle of confusion
The Ibrox club have officially notified the SPFL - and announced in a statement to their own fans - of their intention to pull the plug on the trip to Paisley on Sunday August 24 if Martin and his men successfully negotiate their way through tonight's Euro qualifier against Viktoria Plzen.
But Record Sport understands they will be allowed to withdraw that request by league bosses if, as seems the case, Martin has had a sudden change of heart.
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After a 3-0 romp at Ibrox last week Rangers are heavy favourites to make it through to the final play-off hurdle and secure a two legged £40m play-off showdown with either RB Salzburg or Club Brugge.
And St Mirren have already informed their own supporters, in that case, the top flight meeting will have to be rearranged for later in the season.
But Martin appeared to pivot back from his own club's request after arriving in the Czech Republic on Monday night.
After failing to win either of his two opening games in the Premiership against Motherwell and Dundee, Martin is facing the potential nightmare scenario of falling ten points behind Celtic before the end of the month.
Also, defender Nasser Djiga will be suspended for the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox on August 31 unless Martin's side goes ahead with the original fixture schedule.
The £10m Wolves man would be available for selection against the champions if he sits out the St Mirren match instead.
And, speaking ahead of tonight's match, Martin said: 'No decision has been made either way. We were told the option would be there.
"But the plan has always been to play the game, depending on what happened on Tuesday night and if we get through this. It's flexible.
'But the league table this early will not dictate what we do with the game.'
Martin, however, went on to admit that the prospect of falling double digits behind the champions has been brought to his attention.
Should Celtic extend their flawless start to the campaign with a third successive league win on Saturday, August 23 Brendan Rodgers and his side will open up a seven point lead over their city rivals.
And if they back that up with a win at Ibrox it'll become a 10 point chasm - unless Rangers do press ahead with the planned trip to Paisley and take something from St Mirren on their own pitch.
Martin said last night: 'Someone mentioned to me this morning, 'Oh this can happen, this permutation and all this stuff,'. But it's just not something we're going to get caught up with.
'We're not even at the end of August yet, so we'll see. But our league position, the points table and all that stuff, will not dictate what we do with the St Mirren game at all.
'So, at this minute, I expect we'll play. If that changes because for whatever reason, we feel it will help us. But we have to win This game tomorrow first as well. So we'll see.'
Record Sport understands officials on Hampden's sixth floor will not stick rigidly to the decision to shift the fixtures around, in the event that Rangers do decide to revert to the original match schedule.
A source said: 'The rules are there to give clubs the opportunity to postpone a match. If a club wishes to withdraw such a request the SPFL would have no issue.'
St Mirren, though, have already told their own supporters that the Rangers game will be moved if Martin and his players get past Plzen.
In a club statement issued on August 5 the club said: 'Our William Hill Premiership home match against Rangers has been selected for live coverage on Sky Sports and is due to take place on Sunday 24th August with a 12 noon kick-off.
'However, following a request from Rangers, the match will be postponed if they reach the play-off round of the Champions League.'
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