### Rangers Appoint Russell Martin as New Head Coach Following Prolonged Search - The Scottish Premiership club, Rangers, has officially appointed Russell Martin as their new head coach, concluding a lengthy search for a successor. Martin, 39, has been without a managerial role since his dismissal from Southampton in December 2024, where he struggled to secure wins in the Premier League. His appointment comes as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the team and challenge Celtic's dominance in Scottish football [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6399303/2025/06/05/rangers-manager-next-russell-martin][https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35267050/rangers-new-boss-russell-martin]. ### Overview of the Appointment Process and Martin's Background 1. **Appointment Confirmation**: Rangers confirmed Martin's appointment on June 5, 2025, with a three-year contract that will keep him at Ibrox until June 2028 [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rangers-new-manager-russell-martin-35339873]. 2. **Previous Experience**: Martin previously managed Southampton, where he was sacked after a poor start to the season. He also has experience with Swansea and MK Dons, making him a familiar figure in the English football landscape [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/rangers-appoint-ex-southampton-boss-martin-head-coach-5167211]. 3. **Goals for Rangers**: Upon his appointment, Martin outlined three primary goals for the club, emphasizing a commitment to improving team performance and competing effectively against rivals, particularly Celtic [https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2064040/russell-martin-rangers-manager-davide-ancelotti-contender]. ### Supporting Evidence of Martin's Qualifications and Expectations - **Managerial Record**: Martin's managerial career includes a challenging stint at Southampton, where he won only one of the first 16 Premier League matches after promotion from the Championship [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rangers-new-manager-russell-martin-35339873]. - **Player Background**: As a former player, Martin has a connection to Rangers, having made 17 appearances during a loan spell in the 2017-18 season, which may resonate positively with fans [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/rangers-appoint-ex-southampton-boss-martin-head-coach-5167211]. - **Strategic Vision**: Martin's vision includes not only immediate performance improvements but also long-term development strategies aimed at restoring Rangers' status as a leading force in Scottish football [https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2064500/Russell-Martin-next-Rangers-manager]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Rangers Under Russell Martin - **Strategic Shift**: The appointment of Russell Martin marks a significant shift for Rangers as they aim to reclaim their competitive edge in Scottish football. - **Expectations and Challenges**: With a clear set of goals and a commitment to enhancing team performance, Martin faces the challenge of overcoming the recent struggles of the club and competing effectively against Celtic. - **Future Outlook**: As he embarks on this new chapter, the expectations from fans and management alike will be high, with a focus on both immediate results and long-term success [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/rangers-appoint-ex-southampton-boss-martin-as-head-coach][https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/the-man-to-end-celtics-domestic-dominance-russell-martin-appointed-new-rangers-manager/view/news/454985].