Martin ‘won’t make promises’ – but Rangers must win early

After taking over as the Rangers’ new head coach, Russell Martin says he won’t “make any promises,” but that the team must “win early and win while developing.”

The 39-year-old former Scotland defender has agreed to a three-year contract, which will mark the start of a new era at Ibrox.

A US-based consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh, which includes the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm, completed the club’s takeover last week.

After a lengthy recruitment process, former Southampton and Swansea City manager Martin, who had a brief spell as a player at Ibrox, was the “standout choice” to lead the team.

At his Ibrox unveiling on Thursday, he said, “Winning is how you persuade people-players, staff, and supporters.”

Under first Phillipe Clement, then interim head coach Barry Ferguson, the Rangers finished last season trophyless.

They lost the League Cup final to Celtic, finished second, and suffered a terrible Scottish Cup defeat at home against Queen’s Park. Additionally, they reached the semifinals of the Europa League.

When asked if success in his first season would result in silverware, Martin replied, “I’m not going to sit here and make promises because I don’t think that helps anyone.”

We will work together to improve his club and this team, as I have promised. I believe there are areas where things can get better.

In keeping with Rangers’ new structure, with former sporting director Kevin Thelwell taking over as technical director alongside his former Everton colleague Dan Purdy, Martin prefers to play as head coach rather than manager.

No further additions to the coaching staff have been confirmed, and assistant Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen will work for him at Ibrox.

After leaving Southampton, Martin claimed that he had “a few opportunities,” but that “this was the one I really wanted.”

Martin was described as the “standout candidate,” according to Rangers’ CEO Patrick Stewart, who led the head coach search and Thelwell.

Former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Feyenoord manager Brian Priske spoke with the Ibrox club, and former Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli and former manager Gerrard also spoke with the post.

Russell and the head coach that we’ve been identifying have a clear football style and identity, according to Stewart.

We’re seeking a head coach who will develop our squad, improve our culture, and ultimately win games. Russell is aware of this and we are eager for success.

Thelwell continued, “His teams play dominant football, control the ball, dictate the tempo, and impose themselves physically” to give an idea of what a Rangers team under Martin will look like. They work relentlessly and exert a lot of pressure.

In 2019, Martin made his managerial debut with League One club MK Dons, placing him 19th overall in his first Covid-curtailed season and 13th overall.

He had a win percentage of 37.5% in his 80 matches, with 30 wins and 31 losses.

In the summer of 2021, Swansea City convinced him to join the Championship team.

His 99 games in charge resulted in 36 wins and the same number of losses, or 36.4%, in win percentage. In his first season, the Welsh club placed 15th and placed 10th overall.

In June 2023, Martin made the switch to his league rival Southampton, where he led his team to a 25-game unbeaten run that resulted in a play-off win over Leeds United and promotion to the top flight.

Anyone who saw Martin play can attest to his tenacity.

His late father’s violent behavior and gambling led to upheaval, which belie a delicate Sussex accent and impressive acting ability.

As Martin and his brothers’ first football coaches, Martin has opened up about a complicated relationship with their Scottish father, who veered between controlling and controlling.

In November 2023, he told The Times, “My entire life revolved around disproving him and making him proud.”

Prior to his relatively late 18th birthday, he worked night shifts in a supermarket and cleaned the toilets before going to school.

After conducting acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments, he underwent a career change to a vegan diet to treat inflammation. He also had to deal with ulcerative colitis.

Martin has never been afraid to make up his mind. Could Rangers hope that way is right?

Will Martin lead the Rangers well?