Rangers announce appointment of Russell Martin | OneFootball

Rangers have announced the appointment of former Southampton manager Russell Martin.

Martin was previously in charge of MK Dons and Swansea City before guiding Saints to the Premier League but was unable to build a competitive force in the top flight.

Now the former defender, who once spent a stint on loan at Rangers, has signed a three-year deal with the club and will be joined by coaches Matt Gill and Rhys Owen.

"It is a privilege to be named Head Coach of Rangers Football Club at the beginning of this exciting new chapter," Martin said of his appointment.

"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.

"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."

Martin won 30 of his 54 games in charge of Southampton in the 2023/24 season but struggled at the start of last season with just three wins from 19 in all competitions.