After weeks of speculation and negotiations, Russell Martin was appointed as the new head coach of Rangers on a three-year deal.
The 39-year-old was unveiled at Ibrox and was the club’s ‘stand out choice’ after a lengthy interviewing process.
The former Southampton boss had a short six-month spell as a player at the Light Blues in 2018 and now he’s returned in a different capacity.
Martin was sacked by Southampton last season and once the opportunity came up to manage the Govan club he knew instantly ‘this was the one I really wanted.’
The Norwich City legend understands the expectations for success from the Rangers faithful and that’s what he’s aiming to deliver:
“I’ve managed three clubs, all with the same concept of the game – to be the aggressor with the ball and without it.
“They all played different shapes and different people making up different positions.
“We are here to win, and we will do that in the best way we possibly can.
“That is what Rangers fans expect, to be really aggressive, really intense, really passionate, really hard-working first and foremost.
“I know the expectation here is to win. We want to do that in a way that’s aligned with how we want to feel about the team and how Rangers fans want to feel about their team.”
There has been much negativity surrounding Martin’s appointment, but he is aiming to prove the doubters wrong and bring success back to Ibrox:
“My job is to give them a team they identify with, and they are proud of. A team that wins.
“A team that’s going to give everything. One thing that’s always overlooked with our teams is they always run the most out of possession, because they have to if they want to dominate the ball and be aggressive.
“It’s not a given, it’s an attribute – you need to work hard, not everyone has that. We want people like that to come to the club.
“To the fans, I have to win. I don’t think I’ve been the number one choice at any club I’ve been at. By the time we’ve left every team I’ve been at, we’ve formed a real connection with the supporters. I hope this will be the same.
“My whole playing career was based on hard work and resilience. It was not done on talent.
“I have a lot to prove. My whole career has been based on proving people wrong. I got to the Premier League as a player, played international football. It’s the same as a manager.
“I feel after five-and-a-half years of being a coach and a leader, I love doing it. I will be all-in here with my energy and my love for it. Hopefully it will reflect on the pitch.”
Martin knows he will have to hit the ground running as it’s well documented that managers don’t get any sympathy or time whilst managing one half of the Old Firm.
The former Scotland international has the opportunity to become a Rangers legend as the club embark on a new era to bring the glory days back to Ibrox.