'Gone by Christmas' or 'great choice'? - fans views on Martin and Rangers

The waiting is over for Rangers fans, with Russell Martin emerging as the choice of the Ibrox club's new US owners to take over from interim boss and club legend Barry Ferguson.

So how has the news been greeted by supporters hungry for their club to emerge as champions of Scotland again?

'Underwhelming' and 'gone by Christmas'

Martin's appointment has so far failed to excite some Rangers fans.

Ross: After all the frenzied build-up to the takeover, we expected so much more in terms of head coach. I hope the Americans know soccer better than we do.

Ian: He will be gone by Christmas. Underwhelmed but will give him a chance. If he doesn't at least get through the first Champions League qualifier, fans will go against him very quickly.

Elaine: A tad underwhelming and I'm slightly concerned as to who he can attract. But I'm happy to support him and I'd love to be proven wrong.

John: This is a poor appointment and it shows how far Rangers have dropped since their glory years.

'Ancelotti a missed opportunity'

Rangers had spoken to Davide Ancelotti after he and father Carlo, to whom he was assistant, left Real Madrid.

Sally: Not signing Davide Ancelotti is a missed opportunity Rangers will come to regret. No disrespect to Martin, his style of football will not break down packed defences. The young talent Ancelotti would have attracted is a financial opportunity we have lost. I hope Martin proves me wrong!

Adam: This appointment will not do the needs of Rangers because he wasn't actually their first choice. At my understanding, he was their third or fourth choice. That doesn't show faith in what people want. He will only last a season, if that. He may prove me wrong, but sometimes it won't help because the distance from Celtic is still far too big of a gap. Will the new owners of Rangers give him actual time to rebuild, or will they want success right away in this day and age of sacking managers for not winning trophies?

Sally: Ancelotti would have been the better choice. Martin's style of play is not suited to Scottish football. Ancelotti would have attracted players who otherwise would not have considered Scottish football.

Bob: We were told a big-name manager would be coming in. Martin is not a big name. They should have kept Ferguson and his staff. I hope we don't suffer for this mistake.

J: With this appointment, the new owners have proven they know nothing about Scottish football. This manager has the credentials of a Hibs or Motherwell manager and is so far from the level of a club like Rangers. Even if he is up to it, the sheer disbelief, disappointment and anger of the fans at the cheapest option being taken once again means he's on the back foot before he's even stepped through the door.

'His Southampton stats are atrocious'

Martin led Southampton to promotion to the Premier League, but his record in the top flight and with MK Dons and Swansea City has not impressed many of the Ibrox faithful.

Jimbo: Martin's catastrophic Southampton Premier League failure does not bode well. Over-confidence in his ability did not work and he refused to change. He can't do that at Ibrox. He needs to be more flexible in his approach, otherwise he will never catch Celtic.

Paul: It never ceases to amaze me how a manager who was sacked at Christmas after a run of one win in 16 games can walk into a high-profile job as this. A lot of talent must surely be being overlooked or never considered because clubs seem to only look at the same old faces on the manager merry-go-round.

Stevie: Worst appointment possible. Unproven with little real track record. Last time out, he was relegation material at Southampton. I fear for the club I love that we will stay also rans. Another Michael Beale I think.

David: He had only one way of playing and can't change or adapt to other styles. I predict he will be sacked within six months.

Peter: I hope Russell is capable of changing tactics during a game and not just a one-trick pony. He'll need to be a strong personality on the touchline and ensure everyone is following instructions to the letter.

Douglas: Another dud! Really, is this the best Rangers can do? Cheap is best should be their new motto. Really disappointed after all the hype and huge investment.

Charlie: His stats are atrocious and I cannot see why the board appointed him. I hope I am proven wrong but won't hold my breath.

'Brilliant appointment'

There are some Rangers fans who are enthused by the new head coach, or at least willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Graeme: This is a brilliant appointment. A studious coach that has the ability to man manage and also coach technically very well without overly complicating the game. He earns the respect of his players and I feel he will bring our great club the success we have yearned for these past few years.

Neil: At just 39, he's still a young manager with plenty of room to grow and develop. I believe he has the potential to be a very good appointment.

Mikey: We need to back him now and hope he delivers. Read comparisons to big Ange Postecoglou this week. If true, it could make him the right man.

Alex: As a Southampton fan, I think Russell will do well at Rangers. In the Championship, we went into games as favourites and had a great spell of 25 unbeaten matches. His possession-heavy style will brush aside smaller teams and allow you to go toe-to-toe in the bigger games. If your new board back him, which ours frankly didn't when we came up, he will build you a squad to get back to actually compete for the title.

Dan: I actually think this is a great choice from Rangers and I think Russell Martin may surprise a few doubters. He is now manager of this great club, so let's get behind him and give him a chance.

Carol: The jury is out on this appointment. When you listen to Martin speak, he can talk the talk, but will he be able to walk the very tightly scrutinised rope within the goldfish bowl of being manager at Rangers? Time will tell if his lack of experience is simply not good enough or will he shock everyone and have them eating more than humble pie? Not the fans' favourite choice, so a big task ahead to coach, and win points, trophies and fans over. I wait with bated breath!