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The reaction to his (apparent) appointment is bizarre. What happened to all that 'trust the process', 'long term plans' and 'proper sports businessmen in charge' stuff everyone's spouting on the ownership thread? Martin is a former player, a former internationalist who has managed 250 or so matches at different clubs, importantly these clubs operate at a similar level to ourselves in terms of the players they can attract and wages they'll pay. I mean you'd think we'd appointed Peter Grant with Iona Fyfe as his assistant the way some of you are reacting.

Stuffed.

If true, how utterly uninspiring. Hipster Pep-lite football without the players to execute it properly. Another wasted season. 'Closing in': how absurd, Martin would bite the yanks hands off for the gig.

Is this genuine?

I'm starting a rumour that Naismith is the real managerial appointment. Russell Martin is just the frontman to make it easier to sell to the support.

Disappointing. It appears that Ancelotti turned us down so we've ended up going for Martin. I'm sure those who made the decision to go for him know a lot more about it than I do, and I hope that they've made the right decision. What I would say is that this is the most depressed I've felt about a Rangers manager appointment in the last 50 years.

Bad appointment, if true. A huge disappointment.

If the new regime listen to the fans then we are in deep trouble.

Pretty sure this is all my fault for putting £20 on Ancelotti.

The other night. Jumped on to see what the chat was around the new manager. The forum is still buzzing away nicely. 🫡

No, I didn't appoint him, I'm one of disloyal fans who has been sceptical of the new owners since they were first mooted. I'm just surprised that some of those who've been guzzling the Cool Aid for the 49ers seem to be cracking up at their first important appointment. As for Martin he's certainly better qualified than Ancelotti, not as well qualified as Gerrard. It's not an appointment that excites me, but it's not a mental appointment either. He's experienced, he knows the club, he's coaching players of our level and he's got something to prove after a poor end at Southampton. Walter Smith was an uninspiring appojntment after Souness, McLeish was an uninspiring appointment after Advocaat, indeed Jock Wallace was too following on from a legend like Waddell. They did ok in the end.

Summary of Martins management style from the rangers review interview with the Southampton journo: Dreadful at attacking and defending set pieces Cant organise a defence His teams don't create a lot of good chances Opposition score from 25-30 yards often Doesnt know how to build a team even with transfer funds available Loves playing out from the back to beat the high press (how many times does it need pointed out, we rarely face a high press?) Gets snarky with journos (cant handle pressure) Struggles against a low block This is like one of those films that gets released, and its a bit rubbish. The a few years later they decide to remake it and its even worse. Rangers 2025.

I think its Ancelotti. I am so confident about this I placed a bet of £20 on it on Thursday. Returns £40. Will have my own summer war chest if it comes through.

I do love the TIFOS. There is a much more conciliatory tone in that statement.

I am dreading Martin getting the job. I can understand to some extent he appears to be less of a risk but I can't bear the thought of another Clement, playing the ball about at the back, wedded to a philosphy and stubbornly refusing to change it. I would prefer to take the risk with Ancelotti.

I don't think he'd sign for you.

I have come to terms with the news, and am fully on board the Russell Martin express. Choo Choo.

Getting to CL group stages earns you more than getting to final of EL / CL if I remember correctly. Domestic success gets you (easier) access to CL riches.

This'll save me £60 on a new stick (for away games), at least. 🤣

We can still have our opinions, and it's good to an extent that they're not allowing themselves to be swayed by the support in the same way as the previous board were (Lampard). It's still a bit of a downer though when we've gone from someone coaching Bellingham and Vini to someone coaching Jan Bednarek and Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Rumours going about Naismith will be his assistant

What happened to it? The mask slipped.

This is the problem with hiring people emersed in the EPL world and English football in general. The likes or Therwell and Purdy will look down south as the be all and end all of football. No doubt the rumours about spending a fortune on wages for the likes of Vardy and other EPL has beans is a glimpse into our future. Talk about a false dawn. See you all for the new manager thread in October.

The thing about Propper is that he is the kind of player Russell Martin would want to keep, build a team around, and make captain.

If you looked at this managerial record, would you even interview the guy for the post of Rangers' Manager/Head Coach? Would you cocoa! MK Dons - 19th League One MK Dons - 13th League One Swansea - 15th Championship Swansea - 10th Championship So'ton - 4th in Championship So'ton - 20th in Premiership

Thanks for asking Bluedell. I'm okay, just having to focus a lot of time on my business lately. Popped in to se the reaction to the news about Russel Martin....and if it's true or not.

The UK Green Party is far removed from the Scottish Greens. Still not for me but not in the same stratosphere as their Scottish counterparts.

Yeah, Celtic earned more from the CL than Spurs did for winning the EL.

We're going to lead the xG table! Whoop!

Probably. Pay the piper; call the tune.

At least Pressley is out of the running. Small mercies.

Right. He was good enough at Dunfermline but disappointed on the step up. Very good manager though he got lucky in a cup final which saved his bacon.

We all know nothing is official until it's official. Regardless of that, I'm still concerned about the prospect of Martin becoming Rangers manager. I've been saying for years we need someone who doesn't stick to one style/formation. It's boring and easily found out, even by the dross we play most weeks.

Hopefully see a bit of Mrs Martin around Ibrox as well.........

I think Martin will be fine domestically but may struggle in Europe, the exact opposite of what's happened over the last 5 or so years. And crucially, exactly what we need at the moment.

I mean, he technically is more qualified than Walter at that time. It doesn't mean he'll be a success, but I'm more comfortable appointing someone with a track record than one without. Love you...

By that logic Russell Martin is more qualified than Walter Smith. And if you stand on that belief, we canny be pals. Soz

Can you explain what he's done at these clubs to validate his becoming Rangers manager?

Yes, after being told that Ancelotti was 99% a shoe-in for the job it is depressing. He would have attracted some big names.

One of the downsides is that Ancelotti may have given us access to a lot of players that other candidates wouldn't have. I have to wonder if the new owners delayed the decision too long allowing someone else (Basle?) to come in and entice him away.

@Rousseau will finally be able to take down the Josh Windass poster and replace it with one of Russell Martin holding a Rangers scarf

Re the possible Dio link: I would be amazed, and pleased if another club looked at our midfielders and thought, "I would like the guy Diomande." while Raskin has been different class. Propper and Ridvan can go if they want

To be fair to @compo it’s usually me banging on about the Iron Curtain and while acknowledging the sublime skills and arts of Gascoigne and Laudrup, the greatest sight for me at Ibrox was the slide rule accuracy of McMillan’s passes unleashing the devastation that was Alex Scott. But these days are gone and in the past, etc etc. Achievements and tradition mean nothing to young Africans or Europeans nor indeed to young Scottish players unless they are boyhood fans of the club. A manager’s prime skill is to mould a team to play effective football. If he can get them to do it with a bit of style, so much the better. If he can do it with average players, he’s possessed of genius.