Russell Martin: “We’re Here to Win” as new Rangers boss discusses tactical plans

New Rangers gaffer Russell Martin
New Rangers gaffer Russell Martin | MB Media/GettyImages

Rangers announced the appointment of former Southampton boss Russell Martin at an Ibrox Stadium press conference this morning and the new boss was quick to address complaints that we is too rigid with a style of play and would refuse to change tactically.

Martin said: “I've managed three clubs, the teams have looked different, all with the same concept of the game, to try and be the aggressor with the ball and without it, because you can't have one without the other.

“They've all played different formations, different shapes, different personnel, different people making up different positions in terms of what they have, so we are here to win, and we'll do that in the best way we possibly can within a similar concept to the game, which is to be dominant with the ball.

“Which I think is what Rangers fans expect, but to be aggressive, intense, passionate, and hard working.”

He spoke about his time at each of his previous clubs and the challenges and lessons they have supplied him with during his coaching journey.

He said: “We're here to win and we're here to do it in the best way we possibly can and also to help the club be sustainable with academy players coming through, with young players, with creating assets for the football club and every job's been different, so at MK Dons it was about survival first and then building something where we could sell players on, because it wasn't going to be the destination, it was going to be a stop for the players.

“Swansea was very similar, the budget was heavily cut when we went there, so I deemed them jobs and what the expectation of us was to be a success, probably a bigger success than Southampton was.

“Southampton in the first year was the first time we were expected to win and we did and we did what we were expected to do, which was to get promoted and then of course the challenge of the Premier League is very different,

“I know the expectation here is to win and we want to do that and we want to do it in a way that is aligned with all of us, how we want to feel about the team and how we think Rangers fans want to feel about their team and that's what's really exciting.”

The clubs new Sporting Director, Kevin Thelwell also spoke about the positives behind the new appointment.

He said: "We appreciate there's now pre-season on the horizon and also a European game coming thick and fast, but we think that by using that time we got exactly the right candidate that's the perfect fit for Rangers Football Club.

“From my perspective, I've seen Russell's team play for many years and in particular if I look back at that Championship season that's just been referenced and also the Premier League season, there's a lot to be proud of there and there's a lot that fits Rangers Football Club going forwards and Russell's explained quite clearly there about what we think Rangers Football Club needs to be in those games.

“We need to be dominating in all moments, all of those key moments of the game, when we've got it, when we haven't got it and then the transition bits in between.”

Martin also spoke about the need to bring an identity and style of play back to Rangers after the pitiful year we had on the park last campaign.

He said: “My job is to give the supporters a team that they identify with and they feel proud of.

“A team that wins and a team that's going to give everything and run as hard as they possibly can.”