Martin’s the man! Former Southampton boss Russell agrees to take charge at Rangers

By JOHN MCGARRY

Russell Martin has agreed to become the next manager of Rangers – with confirmation of the deal now imminent.

The 39-year-old is set to fly Scotland for his official unveiling after satisfying the club’s new hierarchy that he’s the right man to take them forward.

The ex-Scotland international, who’d a short spell as a Rangers player towards the end his his career, began managing with MK Dons six years ago, then moved to Swansea before taking over at Southampton.

It was at St Mary’s where his star really began to rise as he guided the club back to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Although Martin was sacked in December after a poor start to the season, he’s convinced Rangers’ new American owners that he’s the perfect fit for them now.

He looked to be falling out of the race a week ago when Leicester City teed him up to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Russell Martin has agreed to become the new manager of Rangers

But with the Foxes stalling on sacking the Dutchman, the former Scotland defender was free to open talks with the Glasgow giants.

Martin’s interview is believed to have hit the spot – and saw him move ahead of one-time favourite Davide Ancelotti, Brian Priske and Francesco Farioli.

While Southampton’s poor season under Martin has seen the appointment questioned by some Rangers supporters, one of his former managers has warned that he will arrive back in Scotland with a serious point to prove.

Chris Hughton, who made Martin his skipper at Carrow Road, is convinced the decision will prove to be the right one.

‘If I’m looking at Russell’s managerial background, he is known of course, for playing a certain way, very expansive in the way that he wants to play, very much a passing game and progression through the thirds. But he’s a strong personality also,’ he said.

‘He’s had a few knock-backs in his football career so far.

Martin had a short spell as a player at Rangers back in 2018

‘I think any knock-backs he will look at very much as experience and look to improve in every aspect that he can.

‘I saw him recently, and he was in good form and really looking forward to getting back into the game.

‘I think he’s had a few offers. So, this is somebody that’s still very respected in the game, and of course, the roller coaster in management, there are always going to be ups and downs. But 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 that we had and, of course, he was my voice when it came to any sort of direction on the players.

‘So, no surprise to me that he eventually went into management. He always showed those characteristics.

‘And he was somebody that, as he improved in his career as a player, is of course very much looking to improve the same way in management.’

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Martin’s the man! Former Southampton boss Russell agrees to take charge at Rangers

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