Rangers

What is the "myth" about new Rangers head coach Russell Martin's tactics?

Scottish coach and analyst John Walker feels there is a misconception with how people view former Swansea City and Southampton boss Martin's possession-based style, insisting it doesn't just mean the ball is just "passed about the back".

"Martin's football is possession based, but it's attacking football," Walker said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If he can get it forward in two passes, it's going forward in two passes.

"People keep coming at me with the same thing, 'he's never played against a low block'. He's played against a low block loads because teams were scared of how his teams were playing.

"If teams want to drop into a low block and fear Rangers, that suits Martin. That's what Martin wants. That's where Rangers will see a lot of goals being scored.

"The flipside of that is there'll be a high defensive line, there'll be high risk, there'll be one-v-one defending at the back. And that's where you see Martin's horrendous goals against stats."

Do the Premier League struggles of Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou prove managerial performance in England and Scotland's top flights is incomparable?

Large numbers of Rangers fans appear to be underwhelmed at the appointment of former player Martin as their new head coach.

That is somewhat fuelled by the ex-Scotland defender's gruelling experience as a manager in England's top tier.

Southampton won just once in 16 games before sacking Martin in December, but Walker feels the Premier League is "just not a comparable metric for how successful you can be in Scotland".

Despite winning the Europa League, Postecoglou, a hugely successful Celtic manager, oversaw Tottenham's worst ever Premier League season last term, with the team finishing 17th.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Celtic boss Rodgers had Leicester heading towards relegation when he departed in the April. The Foxes ultimately went down.

Rodgers' next move would be a return to Parkhead, where he has resumed cleaning up domestic prizes.

"Martin's Southampton experience rubs people the wrong way," said Walker.

"Rodgers had good seasons in England, but he also had bad seasons. With Postecoglou, league wise, this is a terrible time at Tottenham.

"But he dominated and revolutionised Scottish football for two years, so there just is no comparison."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, PA Media

When discussing his next job, Russell Martin did not shy away from detailing the specific conditions that must be right in order for him to consider taking a role.

The Rangers job ticks his boxes after suffering a chastening Premier League stint with Southampton, during which he lost 13 out of 16 games.

Refreshed after a long-overdue break, the new Ibrox head coach says he will be "much better" for that unforgiving experience in England's top flight.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day 2 last month, Martin stressed the importance of his beliefs aligning with his future employers: "We've turned a few opportunities down because it just didn't feel quite right.

"It's about the opportunity it gives us, how we feel about it, the people you're working for. All of it comes into account.

"Also the cultural context, how the style of play will fit, how the work we do will fit with the club's work, how convinced the ownership are with how we do things."

Since then, a takeover of Rangers, led by healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, has been completed.

Now there is a sense, for the first time in a long time, Rangers are getting their ducks in a row from boardroom to dugout, with the 49ers group boasting a reputation of being shrewd operators south of the border with Leeds United.

Despite Martin's impressive work at MK Dons and Swansea, plus guiding Southampton to the Premier League, some Rangers fans will still have doubts about the potential appointment after his gruelling time in England's top tier.

But given the specific criteria the 39-year-old needs ticked off to commit to a job, that would suggest he feels the framework is there to be a success at Ibrox.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

After four months of searching, and numerous candidates in the mix from Steven Gerrard to Davide Ancelotti, we finally have our head coach to kickstart the new era for the club.

That responsibility has been given to Russell Martin, that's right - don't squint your eyes or think this is a typo - it's actually him. Frankly, as always, I hope it works and he is successful but it appears he's the one that almost no one wanted.

Given the online reaction, you have to give him some kudos for taking the job and backing himself to win over the trust of the support.

One thing that irked me with regard to Philippe Clement's style of football was the lack of control - it was all very transitional.

Martin will be the polar opposite. What I hope for is that he can come in and keep the positive parts of his play - the high press and high tempo - and tighten up the backline.

Furthermore, I always feel the sign of a good manager is someone who can improve players already at a club when you arrive. If he can get a right few of them to take their games to the next level such as Mo Diomande, Nico Raskin and Hamza Igamane, I'd be delighted with that as a starting point.

Hearing from Martin at his first media conference today will be interesting, particularly his thoughts on the fan noise and more importantly, how he wants to move this team forward and try and win games of football.

However, sporting director Kevin Thelwell and new technical director Dan Purdy must give him the tools to succeed by adding to the players mentioned above, if they remain at the club beyond the summer.

It's a tough job ahead, and the recruitment has to be spot on all across the squad to get players that fit Martin's style.

We currently have a mishmash of players who lack direction. Hopefully with a new manager and new players coming in things will become more cohesive on the pitch.

I'm intrigued where this will go, what calibre of player we can attract and how Martin's philosophy will work both domestically and in Europe.

Let's be honest, going into next season, fan opinion, possession stats and philosophies won't really matter. It's silverware that counts and if you wanted Martin or were a bit dubious, like myself, you just hope he comes in and delivers.

Russell Martin's professional career has spanned more than two decades, including 15 years as a player and six as a manager.

Here's a breakdown of the new Rangers boss' life in football:

• After leaving Brighton's youth academy and a brief spell at non-league Lewes, Martin spent four years at Wycombe, playing 140 games.

• The defender moved to Peterborough in 2008 and skippered the team as the club's youngest ever captain, with the side gaining promotion to the English Championship in his first season.

• A loan move to Norwich in 2009 became permanent and Martin went on to spend nine years at the club, gaining top-flight promotion twice and playing more than 300 games - 125 of which came in the Premier League.

• Martin gained his first Scotland cap as a Norwich player and finished his career with 29 international appearances.

• In the final two years of Martin's playing days, he had a brief loan at Rangers, playing just 17 games, before moves to Walsall and MK Dons.

• Martin became MK Dons manager following his retirement as a player. He gained a reputation for implementing an attractive, possession-based style in the third tier and moved to Championship side Swansea in 2021.

• Martin's football at Swansea continued to attract plaudits. After 15th and 10th-placed finishes, he was poached by Southampton.

• In his first season at Southampton, a club record 25-game unbeaten run helped the Saints reach the Premier League via the Championship play-offs, beating Leeds in the final.

• But Martin's spell as Saints boss came to an end last December after the club started their Premier League campaign with 13 losses in 16 games.

• Six months on, Martin has returned to Rangers as their new boss under a new regime at Ibrox.

Image source, SNS

Russell Martin was the "outstanding candidate" for the job of head coach and can imprint "dominant football" at Rangers, says sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

Martin takes the helm at Ibrox six months after he was sacked by Southampton following 13 defeats in 16 Premier League games.

Thelwell, who led the search along with chief executive Patrick Stewart, said: "Russell comes to Rangers with hard-earned experience. His time in the Premier League has sharpened his approach, both tactically and personally. He's better for it, and we believe that will translate into the kind of leadership and performance our supporters expect.

"Through the many conversations Patrick and I have had with Russell in recent weeks, he has emerged as the outstanding candidate.

"His teams play dominant football, they control the ball, dictate the tempo and impose themselves physically. They press aggressively and work relentlessly off the ball. These are all characteristics that we believe are required to be successful at home, away, and abroad."

New Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh said Russell impressed throughout a "thorough, rigorous process", adding: "His appointment embodies the club's goal of attracting top talent, empowering them, and supporting them.

"We believe that Russell can improve on-pitch performance while also helping build the culture and infrastructure necessary for consistent and long-term success."

Chief executive Stewart said: "Our criteria were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. Russell was the standout candidate.

"This appointment is about building a winning team and a strong culture. He is no stranger to our club, we expect success and Russell knows that. We are excited for his leadership."

Image source, Getty

Russell Martin has expressed his determination to "bring success back" to Rangers after being appointed head coach on a three-year deal.

"It is a privilege to be named head coach of Rangers Football Club at the beginning of this exciting new chapter," said the 39-year-old former Ibrox defender, who has managed MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton.

Russell added: "I know what this club demands. From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history. Now, as I return, I'm determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club.

"I'm here to set standards, work hard and do my very best to earn the respect of the Rangers fans.

"There's a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies, and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of. We want to play with bravery, to take the ball, to be aggressive, and to stand up in the big moments.

"Preparations for pre-season are already underway. I look forward to meeting the players and building a squad that our fans can believe in."

Rangers have ended months of speculation by appointing former Southampton boss Russell Martin as their new head coach.

Martin has signed a three-year deal after fending off competition from other candidates including Davide Ancelotti.

Have Rangers' new American owners got this appointment right? Do you back Martin to thrive at Ibrox - and what should his priorities be this summer?

Have your say.

Image source, SNS

Russell Martin will use the hurt he suffered at Southampton in a positive way should he become new Rangers head coach, according to his former boss Chris Hughton.

Former MK Dons and Swansea manager Martin is believed to be the frontrunner for the vacant post at Ibrox.

However, many Rangers fans are underwhelmed by the potential appointment of Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player in Govan in 2018.

Martin, who was captain under Hughton at Norwich, brought Southampton up to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2024 but was sacked by December as they headed back towards the Championship with one win from his first 16 games.

But Hughton offered a glowing character reference, saying on Talksport: "If I'm looking at Russell's managerial background, he is known for playing a certain way, very expansive, very much a passing game and progression through the thirds.

"But he's a strong personality also. He's had a few knockbacks in his football career so far.

"I think any knockbacks, he will look at very much as experience and look to improve in every aspect he can.

"I think he's had a few offers, so this is somebody that's still very respected in the game. He's a very confident individual and very confident in what he wants to do on the football pitch.

"He was very much a leader in the changing room, vocal in the meetings we had and he was my voice when it came to any sort of direction on the players.

"So it's no surprise to me that he eventually went into management. He always showed those characteristics."

Image source, SNS

We asked for your thoughts on the possibility of Russell Martin becoming the new Rangers manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Henry: Martin, sadly, will be the wrong choice, with no European management experience, limited top-level experience and I hope he won't be the lamb to the slaughter. The new club directors are starting just like the last lot left.

Diana: I hope Russell gets this job. He was well liked in Southampton until we achieved promotion. Unfortunately we did not have enough Premier League quality players to play his possession-based style, and recruitment by the owners let him down.

Paul: Not for me. Tippy-tappy possession football will be food and drink to the low block most teams will set up with. You also need players with real quality to play that type of game. Rangers are not Barcelona or Manchester City.

Henry: I believe Martin will be a great asset as the manager of Rangers he is tactically clever and doesn't get flustered. He will do most of his talking in the dressing room and not so much on the touchline. All the best Russell, make Rangers great again

Bob: If we go for Martin I think we should instead have gone with Barry Ferguson and his assistants - can't imagine Martin to be a step up from Barry and we could have saved weeks of uncertainty getting the correct players in. Hate to say it but if Martin comes in we will be back in the manager market by Christmas and again facing a dead season.

Gordon: His keep the ball style is not football. The object is to win by scoring more goals. The reason he has failed is that the other teams score more goals and his teams have just kept the ball. Keep him out of Ibrox.

Gareth: He wouldn't be my first choice, I thought it was going to be Steven Gerrard but he has ruled himself out, and I would have liked Davide Ancelotti but he looks like he is going to to Basel. I will back the manager whoever it is, one thing is Rangers must get this appointment right.

Russell Martin's understanding of the "size, pressure and expectation" at Rangers will only benefit the former Ibrox defender if he lands the vacant manager role, says ex-goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

The 39-year-old is reported to be the frontrunner - ahead of Davide Ancelotti - to become the permanent replacement of Philippe Clement, who was sacked 100 days ago.

Martin has been out of work since being dismissed by Southampton in December after a gruelling Premier League experience.

Some fans are underwhelmed by the potential appointment, but former Rangers goalkeeper Bell believes Martin's brief time on loan at Ibrox as a player in 2018 will "play in the favour" of the ex-Scotland defender.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Bell said: "Having been there myself as a player and having that experience, I think it's really difficult for people who are from outside the country and don't know much about Rangers.

"Understanding the size of the club, the expectations of the club, the pressures of the club, all these things can get thrown at you. But until you actually experience it, I don't think you can really really understand it.

"That's one thing Martin's had. He had a short, brief spell at Rangers, but he understands the size, pressure and expectation that's going to be there daily.

"That is a factor and it will play in the favour of Martin as well."

Russell Martin is on the brink of becoming Rangers manager after fresh talks with new Ibrox bosses. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny appears to have closed the door on the prospect of a permanent move to Ibrox this summer. (Daily Record), external

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn says Russell Martin would be a "very good" choice as Rangers' new head coach.

Gunn witnessed the former Scotland defender's leadership qualities during their stint as team-mates at Norwich City in 2017 and believes he was unfortunate to be sacked by Southampton last season given the size of task promoted clubs face in the Premier League.

Martin, 39, has been heavily linked as the favourite to replace Philippe Clement at Ibrox.

"Obviously, I've only worked with him as a player at Norwich. Very intellectual guy. I went in there as a young goalkeeper and he helped me massively even though he wasn't in the team every week and playing regularly," said Gunn.

"He was the captain of the club and he had good relationships with everyone in the dressing room and it's obviously watching what he has done at Southampton.

"I thought he did incredibly well there and probably was unfortunate to lose his job there because it was always difficult for teams coming up from the Championship to even compete with some of the Premier League teams.

"I watch him now on the TV and the way he wants to play and his philosophy and I really hope whatever he goes on to in his career is successful.

"I don't know if he is going to Rangers or not but obviously he had a spell there as well so he knows the club a little bit. I think it would be a very good thing for Rangers, to be fair."

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The takeover of Rangers by an American consortium can "extinguish the rot" that has persisted since Craig Whyte's ill-fated reign, says departing director Alastair Johnston.

Whyte bought Rangers from Sir David Murray in 2011, ousting Johnston as chairman, and the club lurched to financial collapse the following year before re-emerging in the bottom tier of Scottish football.

Celtic have dominated the domestic game since, but Johnston is hopeful of brigther times ahead after a consortium led by healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises last week acquired a 51% controlling stake in the club.

Johnston, who returned to the board as a non-executive director in 2017 when Dave King was chairman, is standing down with a new-look board taking shape but the United States-based Glaswegian and lifelong Rangers fan is optimistic about developments.

The 76-year-old told the PA news agency: "I was asked to respond to a question at the Rangers AGM last December as to the options available to the club in order for it to return to its glory days.

"My comments were reported at the time as being somewhat bemusing. I responded by describing the current circumstances in English football about so many of the leading clubs being taken over by American investors and, in several cases, their approach included an ownership model that involved multiple teams.

"I was careful to insinuate that this was a hypothetical possibility. In truth, I was already aware of the interest that a group involving the 49ers had shown in Rangers and that we had already engaged in early-stage discussions with its representatives.

"Understandably, the possible investors wanted to maintain the utmost secrecy as to the direction of their mission.

"It took about six months for the Rangers board to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement that would be in the best interests of our club.

"Intense negotiations were conducted covering all facets of such an acquisition, and I am delighted we were able to capitalise on a collaboration that we believe will provide us with a platform to extinguish the rot that had befallen the club for a decade since the Craig Whyte fiasco."

Heavily linked with Rangers, former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti is a "hot contender" to take over at Swiss champions Basel. (Blick, external - in German)

Rangers face a battle to land Brazilian midfielder Metinho as Basel say they want to keep the 22-year-old permanently after his loan from Troyes. (Scottish Sun), external

Troyes would want £5m to part with Rangers midfield target Metinho. (Daily Record), external

Everton are just one of six Premier League clubs keen on Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande, but the Ibrox club are in no rush to sell the 23-year-old and would demand a substantial fee. (TeamTalk), external

Jamie Vardy is weighing up a move to Rangers as the 38-year-old striker's contract runs out with relegated Leicester City. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Former Rangers chairman Dave King has revealed the Ibrox club almost had Saudi owners before the US consortium's takeover. (Sky Sports), external

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, SNS

With new owners and new investment, the search for a new Rangers manager is coming to an end.

The takeover, led by private healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, gives Rangers fresh hope after watching another title win for Celtic.

Kevin Thelwell has now officially started as the club's new sporting director and has said he expects to conclude the search for a new boss in the next few days.

Russell Martin is a leading contender, while Davide Ancelotti is a strong option, but it has been a fluid situation up until now. Former Feyenoord boss Brian Priske had also been spoken to.

I appreciate how this may sound, but Martin is a better coach and manager than the first half of Southampton's Premier League season showed.

He is meticulous and has his philosophy - even if some may frown upon it - and that makes it easy to try to get it across to the players.

Martin did not have the quality of player at St Mary's and they lost out on several targets last summer - Ipswich's Liam Delap being one - and I've always felt if he had the right squad at his disposal, he would shine.

Image source, SNS

Rangers' new ownership will have to ensure they "strike a balance" when it comes to their player trading, says former striker Rory Loy.

An American consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, are now in charge at Ibrox after buying a majority stake and have pledged to invest £20m this summer.

The group are continuing their restructuring of the club by appointing Everton's former head of recruitment Dan Purdy as technical director to replace Nils Koppen.

The 49ers also own Leeds United and have gained a reputation for smart player trading at the newly-promoted Premier League club.

But Loy feels the owners will have to make sure they are signing players who can make an instant impact in the team, as well as viewing them as profitable assets.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Loy said: "They're going to need to try and strike a balance when it comes to getting players in to develop them, to sell them on.

"I understand that's the model that they want to bring to the club and they've done it very successfully at other clubs. However, the difference here is Rangers fans expect to win trophies next season, they expect to win trophies every season.

"So you've got to strike a balance between bringing players in who are going to make the club money in the future and getting what they really need to get, instant success.

"You look at the likes of Hamza Igamane, who was a good signing, but they asked far too much of him. There was a period in the season where he was playing every week.

"He's not a signing who's going to come in and play every week. And that's because the other signings simply weren't good enough."

Everton have identified Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande as one of several midfield targets this summer. (Daily Express), external

Former club FC Twente are "seriously interested" in a return for Rangers defender Robin Propper. (soccernews.nl, external - in Dutch)

Left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is another Rangers player being linked with his former club as Beskitas begin transfer talks. (Aspor.com, external - in Turkish)

Dundee United owner Mark Ogren thinks the San Francisco 49ers' involvement with Rangers will increase revenue throughout Scottish football – and hopes it could be a step towards lifting the alcohol ban in stadiums. (The Athletic, external - subscription required)

Image source, SNS

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

When 49ers Enterprises completed a much-anticipated takeover of Leeds United in July 2023, the situation was far from rosy.

The West Yorkshire club had been relegated from the Premier League after a chaotic season featuring four different managers, and fans had been left in the dark after relegation was confirmed with a defeat by Tottenham Hotspur seven weeks prior.

There was no permanent manager following the conclusion of Sam Allardyce's short-term deal, and no sense of what the squad would look like for the season ahead.

And yet, two years on, they are a top-flight club once more.

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe will now become vice-chair at Rangers after a US-based consortium completed their much-anticipated takeover, but what can the Ibrox club expect from a deal involving the 49ers?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAN

Marathe and co selected the right candidate to guide Leeds back to the Premier League and picking the right head coach is unquestionably the top priority for the new Rangers leadership.

Many a highly-rated manager has crumbled at both Ibrox and Elland Road given the expectation that comes from those two fanbases.

Daniel Farke had a track record of success in the Championship and was entrusted to do so again at Leeds, reaching 100 points and claiming the title in the 2024-25 season.

CANNY RECRUITMENT

United have recruited well under Marathe's leadership.

Crysensio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and the club's hottest prospect Archie Gray all left in the summer of 2024 after a play-off final defeat by Southampton.

Those sales demanded another rebuild, but Leeds cannily put together a squad that kicked on to new heights.

Influential centre-back Joe Rodon's loan deal was made permanent, while Jaden Bogle and Ao Tanaka were hugely impressive after signing for relatively low transfer fees from Sheffield United and Fortuna Dusseldorf respectively.

The side became less reliant on individual quality and functioned better as a unit in manager Daniel Farke's second season as manager.

SHUNNING THE SPOTLIGHT

Unlike previous regimes at Elland Road, Marathe is not a man to seek the spotlight.

He prefers to conduct business behind closed doors, only occasionally providing statements on club matters. What you do see is a polished, confident individual with a track record of success at high-profile sporting institutions.

Technical director Nils Koppen is set to depart Rangers after just six months in the role. (Record), external

Former Everton head of recruitment Dan Purdy will replace Koppen at Ibrox. (Rangers Review), external

Davide Ancelotti, 35, has told Rangers he is ready to step away from being father Carlo's assistant and be a success as a manager in his own right. (Record), external

Ancelotti is confident he can attract big-name players if he takes over at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip