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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 😁

Isn't irrelevant, quite the opposite. When Walter Smith took over from PLG the first thing he done was sign 2 x strong experienced CBs and, hey presto, we suddenly stopped losing goals. Fast forward to Clement / BF, our biggest issue was conceding goals. Maybe just me that sees a pattern there and maybe just me that thinks that the best way to solve is to sign 2 x strong experienced CBs. I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Robin Pröpper, who joined Rangers from Twente last summer, has agreed a three-year contract to return to the Dutch club, who will pay about half the £2.5m they received for the 31-year-old centre-half. (WFCGRONINGEN via Twente Fans) Rangers are interested in signing Vicente Pizarro, but Juventus and Valencia are among other clubs to have scouted the 22-year-old Colo-Colo and Chile midfielder. (TeamTalk) 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) Pic source

Martin is not an exciting appointment. We don't have a choice just now. I think he is too candid when speaking to the press. This may, or may not, come back to haunt him later. Despite that he did say some things I liked. For example his emphasis on work ethic. I think it's best, now, to leave him to get on with it.

Old players and good memories ... Weir aside, I've rarely seen a better goal scored (ability-wise) than the one of Jermaine Defoe against Livingston, with that long ball by Tavernier from the half-way line being converted with a delightful touch past the keeper.

I'm not re-watching it, so: "We've just had a question after question at the press conference about how the recruitment works with a DoF and Head Coach and the first comments here afterwards are, 'I wonder what contacts he has?'" To be honest, though, we should know how it works by now. No wonder the club can't progress - we fall into the same patterns.

aye but how does it work who signs the players is the managet in charge or his boss i dont get it

I was thinking the same about my own posts recently concerning the takeover/manager, but it is how I feel about it.

Aye, pretty much leaked straight away, even Tav in the video on Rangers twitter is saying "It's leaked already!" 😂

As it appeared Russell Martin was going to be appointed I removed myself for a couple of days to contemplate the reality of where we are at. Let's face it we were dangerously near to being in big trouble as a club financially and possibly in a state of terminal decline. I welcome the takeover as a last chance saloon. They have made it clear the investment won't be off the scale and there is no short term fix to building the club back up again and I appreciate that and accept that. In that context is Russell Martin the level of manager we can afford? I supect that most of the names that were bandied about were above the level of our affordability. We've hired decent managers in Gio and Clement and been unable to provide them with the tools to do their best job. The mismanagement of the board is well document in that respect. Similarly Russell Martin will rise or fall largely on the quality of players we bring in which in turn will depend on finally getting rid of the no hopers we currently have and how much we get for them. I will get behind their efforts. My hopes for this season are to get through the CL qualifiers (for the money) and to see improvement on the park and signs of real progress. Anything short of the League will be a massive red flag all round. My realism didn't last too long.