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I don't think Tav is going anywhere so best for Martin to bring in an alternative to compete with him.

Bit of both - for the moment we have to gamble on young players who looking for a breakthrough, or older players who will bring experience buy no resale value. Our player trading model is broken, we need to find some young players who'll explode onto the scene and then sell them on quickly. Igamane is a prime example, cost us £1.5Mish so if someone offers us £6M or above, we sell and purchase 3 players at 1.5Msh and keep the cycle going. Those wanting Dessers sold for less than we paid or "break-even" don't get the transfer model we require, that's why Dessers would be the last striker I would sell unless we arw making a profit. It won't be popular, but it's our current reality. This will only change once the model is established and working.

Cammy, does that mean you think we can only attract older people now? Or this guy is around the budget we want to spend? Why can't we still attract younger experienced players still in prime? Is that a Rangers thing or a Scotland thing,

I'd like Kasanwijro back.

Well I get that, (sarcasm included), but again. Probably my own misguided high expectations

Yeah I'm sure we'll be first choice for the majority of CBs on the hunt for new club, and we'll be able to match asking prices and wages for the majority of them

I must admit. I'm getting mixed up with titles myself here. Writing head coach just is annoying 🤣

We don't have a DoF, you're giving yourself more to write there, we have an SD.

That will save me £25, thanks!

Didn't have channel 5 on ma bingo card @Rousseau

UK free-to-air (FTA) network Channel 5 will broadcast the Fifa Club World Cup this summer after agreeing a sublicensing deal with global rights holder DAZN. Paramount-owned Channel 5 will show 23 of the 63 matches from the tournament, with its slate consisting of 15 group games, four last-16 ties, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final. Channel 5 will take DAZN’s coverage and promote DAZN’s brand rather than use its own staff for the competition, which is being held in the US and takes place from 14th June to 13th July. The remaining 40 matches will be shown exclusively on DAZN, which signed on as the exclusive global broadcaster of the 2025 Club World Cup in a deal reportedly worth US$1 billion and has committed to making the expanded tournament available FTA globally on its platform.

At least he talks better than Stewart. But that's for another thread. Interesting to hear them claim he been working on this appointment for a while, despite only actually starting on Monday, hope his record ends up better than his time at Everton. Over to you Kevin

Fair point, I agree, but I think you see more connections to the manager than you might think in any signings.

Is it DAZN that has the rights for this? I'll need to look into signing up for this tournament.

He could suggest someone, but it would need to go through the football department. Relying on manager contacts is a different kettle of fish. It's not how things should be done.

So, on that basis, do you think we will won't bring in any players than RM worked with previously? And they will all just be dof found, and if they do find someone who played under RM. It will just be a complete coincidence?

I'm maybe jumping the gun a little, but DoF models have been around for decades now, which goes to show how far behind we are / have been. There are numerous variations of a DoF model, so the odd press conference question is appropriate, but I still think falling back on 'manager contacts' is out of date. I don't think that's a Rangers problem, it's a wider Scottish problem - I actually think we're ahead of most in this country. @blueflag

There must be discussions between DoF and Head Coach, surely. They don’t operate in separate units sealed off from one another.

New Rangers head coach Russell Martin says captain James Tavernier will be "hugely important" next season and, while there are a few positions that have to be strengthened fairly quickly, he is willing to "be surprised" by some players in the current squad. (Sky Sports) If he sticks with tav, he be gone before Christmas

In the same question. They said the head coach would have a large input to the players. So I'm not sure why you mocked someone asking if RM has good contacts. I'm just trying to make sense of the post that's all.

You asked me to compare 1 signing from 2007 mate. It's 2025 this year, and i had heard all the buzz how we will be into progressing players. Not topping up pensions. I fully agree. We need to really strengthen the x2 CB, but just disagree a 32 yr from Leicester fits that bill. Mabie my expectations are just simply too high.

I'm not sure it's a fair comment. We've never had a coach rather than a manager before, and we seem to have a more hand-on DoF. The club is obviously significantly changing the way that we do things and the support will take time to understand how it's now going to work going forward. The press conference answer suggested that the coach will have a 'yay or nay' on the signings but it's unclear how involved in the initial identification of targets he'll be.

The Scotsman whipped up a (lazy) list of possible Martin / Rangers / DoF / whomever targets ... (for entertainment only) 1. Harry Darling - Swansea City (freebie) Perhaps the most obvious signing for Russell Martin is the appointment due to his history with the centre-back. Out of contract at the Welsh club, he's been signed by him at both MK Dons and Swansea City, and fits Martin's style of play perfectly. The 39-year-old head coach has said Darling "possesses all the attributes you need to play at the very top, in my opinion", while the defender himself has given his former boss praise, stating that he "loves working with him." 2. Ryan Manning - Southampton (contract till 2027) The left-back is seen as an ideal fit for Martin’s possession-based system, and has an uncertain future at Southampton following their relegation, Twice signed by Martin at St Mary's and Swansea City, Manning had 15 goal involvements during Southampton's promotion-winning 2023/24 campaign. His familiarity with Martin's tactics could see him become a target for Rangers. 3. Ross Stewart - Southampton (contract till 2028) Linked to Rangers in the past, the 6ft 5in Scotland international has endured a nightmare spell with injuries in the last couple of seasons, but appears to be on the mend after featuring in the final eight games of the season for Saints. Martin is thought to be a huge fan of the striker, shelling out £8million to bring him to St Mary's in the summer of 2023. Depending on the plans of new Southampton head coach Will Still, the ex-Sunderland hitman could come into Martin's thinking. 4. Cameron Archer - Southampton (contract till 2028) The ex-Aston Villa academy starlet cost Southampton a reported fee of £15million when he signed in 2024, but he struggled for regular game time at St Mary's last year following the departure of Martin. Linked with a loan move to Leeds United in January, Archer is another who has spoken highly of Martin's management style, saying he "was one of the main reasons" he joined Southampton last summer, adding that his playing style, coaching and ability to improve him as a player as the key factors behind his decision to move. Archer is someone Martin could target. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/latest-rangers-news/10-players-rangers-could-look-to-sign-now-russell-martin-is-confirmed-as-new-manager-at-ibrox-5160713 5. Aleksa Terzic - Red Bull Salzburg (contract till 2028) With Ridvan Yilmaz's future uncertain at Rangers, the club may look for reinforcements in the full-back positions. While he hasn't been directly linked with a move to Ibrox, his attacking output and ability to invert into midfield would suit the tactical flexibility Martin looks for in his squad. Thought to be available at around £3million, the 25-year-old Serbian would offer excellent value. Alexa? 6. Nathan Wood - Southampton (contract till 2028) Martin worked with Wood at both Swansea and Southampton, where the young defender thrived in a possession-based system. With Rangers needing depth at centre-back due to the departure of Leon Balogun, Wood’s versatility and ball-playing ability align perfectly. He played just 11 times for the Saints last year, meaning a loan or permanent move is viable should Wood be considered surplus to requirements by new head coach Will Still. 7. Jamie Vardy - Free agent Already linked to Rangers this summer, the ex-Leicester City goalscorer fits into Martin's system due to his ability to exploit spaces against deep-lying defences. His teams often like to create chances through sustained possession, and Vardy's high-pressing aligns with Martin's philosophy. However, his wages could prove an issue. 8. Andy Fisher - Swansea City Another player that Martin has signed twice, the Swansea goalkeeper may come into the manager's thinking now he's been handed the reigns at Ibrox. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he fits the style of play the 39-year-old head coach likes to adopt. Fisher is also a big fan of Martin, once saying: "I took a big wage cut to go and play for him at MK Dons because I believed in everything he did and the way he played.” Spent the second-half of last season on loan at St Johnstone, and could provide competition for Jack Butland and Liam Kelly at a low cost. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/latest-rangers-news/10-players-rangers-could-look-to-sign-now-russell-martin-is-confirmed-as-new-manager-at-ibrox-5160713?page=2 9. Jason Steele - Brighton (contract till 2026) While not explicitly linked to Rangers, the experienced English goalkeeper has many of the traits that Martin likes in a goalkeeper - and could be available this summer. Renowned for his ball-playing ability, he had a 90% pass completion rate in the 2023/24 Premier League season, ranking among the best for goalkeepers in distribution. He fell behind Bart Verbruggen last season though, and may have his eye on a move that could guarantee him regular football this summer. He has just one year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium. 10. Joe Aribo - Southampton (contract till 2026) A title winner with Rangers in 2021, the Nigerian midfielder was a big hit at Ibrox before departing to sign for Southampton for a reported fee of £6million. Played under Martin for 18 months, with the Scottish head coach fond of Aribo's versatility. While it would be a surprise move, there's reason to believe Martin could hold an interest if he is appointed, due to his familiarity with the high-pressing, possession-based system. He was praised for his “energy and technical ability” by Martin during his time on the south coast. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/latest-rangers-news/10-players-rangers-could-look-to-sign-now-russell-martin-is-confirmed-as-new-manager-at-ibrox-5160713?page=3 EPL/Championship players with contracts till 2028 😁