Rangers are set to announce Russell Martin as the club’s new Head Coach at Ibrox.
As we previously reported, a press conference is scheduled for tomorrow to unveil the new man in the dugout. While it had looked likely to be Davide Ancelotti, plans appear to have shifted following Martin’s decision to reject an offer from Leicester City. The former Southampton boss is now heading north to Glasgow.
If you’re anything like me, the memory of Martin’s short-lived and underwhelming six-month loan spell at Ibrox in 2018 will send a slight shiver down your spine. And having watched his Southampton side struggle in the Premier League, doubts about his managerial credentials would be understandable.
However, it's important to acknowledge the full context. Just one season earlier, in the English Championship, Martin led a Southampton side that played some of the most eye-catching football in the division.
With an expansive, high-pressing style and a commitment to building from the back, the Saints earned widespread praise for their performances. They controlled possession, created chances in volume, and were often lauded for their modern, attacking brand of football.
The concern, however, is Martin’s apparent unwillingness to adapt his style to suit different levels of opposition. His insistence on sticking to the same tactical philosophy, regardless of whether he's facing Bath City or Manchester City, proved costly in the Premier League.
While his approach may bear fruit domestically in the Scottish Premiership, questions remain over its effectiveness in European competition, particularly if Rangers reach the UEFA Champions’ League group stages.
With the Ibrox boardroom reshaped following the club's recent takeover, Martin is expected to be backed financially in the transfer market.
He will work closely with newly appointed Director of Football Recruitment Kevin Thelwell and Head of Scouting Dan Purdy to build a squad tailored to his footballing ideology, one capable of competing both at home and abroad.
The deal is understood to be all but finalised and is expected to be officially announced tomorrow.
Welcome back to Ibrox, Russell. We wish you the very best, and hope to see silverware arrive sooner rather than later.