Rangers confirm Russell Martin as new manager as he lays out three goals for new club

Russell Martin has signed a three-year deal to move to Ibrox after being sacked by Southampton last December, having won just one of their first 16 Premier League games after securing promotion from the Championship

Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Russell Martin as the club’s new head coach. The 39-year-old former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss has signed a three-year contract.

Martin guided Southampton to promotion to the Premier League last year but was sacked in December following one win from their first 16 games. He will be joined at Ibrox by assistant head coach Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen.

Rangers finished last season under the caretaker management of former captain Barry Ferguson, having dismissed Philippe Clement in February. Now ex-Scotland defender Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, is tasked with wrestling power back from the other side of Glasgow.

The ‘Gers have looked on ruefully for over a decade as Celtic have dominated Scottish football, with that stranglehold continuing last term with a 13th Premiership title in the past 14 years.

“From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history,” he told the club’s website. “Now, as I return, I’m determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club.

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“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.”

Martin’s arrival is the latest in a series of major changes at the club. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday, while new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday.

Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who led the recruitment process alongside Thelwell, said: “Our criteria for our next coach 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.”

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