### Rangers Appoint Russell Martin as New Manager After Prolonged Search Rangers Football Club has officially appointed Russell Martin as their new manager, concluding a lengthy search for a successor. The 39-year-old former Southampton boss has signed a three-year contract with the Scottish Premiership side, marking his return to management after a challenging stint at Southampton, where he was dismissed following a poor start to the season. Martin, who has a history with Rangers as a player, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the club as they aim to reclaim their position at the top of Scottish football, particularly in the face of Celtic's recent dominance [https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35267050/rangers-new-boss-russell-martin, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rangers-new-manager-russell-martin-35339873]. ### Overview of the Appointment Process and Expectations 1. **Background of Russell Martin**: - Former manager of Southampton, Swansea, and MK Dons. - Played for Rangers on loan during the 2017-18 season. - Has a total of 29 caps for the Scotland national team. 2. **Contract Details**: - Martin has signed a three-year deal with Rangers. - His appointment comes after a series of discussions and negotiations, with reports indicating he was the frontrunner for the role [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/rangers-appoint-ex-southampton-boss-martin-head-coach-5167211, https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-sports/2025/06/05/rangers-appoint-new-boss-russell-martin-on-three-year-contract]. 3. **Goals and Objectives**: - Martin has outlined three primary goals for his tenure at Rangers, focusing on improving team performance and challenging Celtic's dominance in the league. - He aims to foster a competitive spirit and enhance the club's tactical approach [https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/the-man-to-end-celtics-domestic-dominance-russell-martin-appointed-new-rangers-manager/view/news/454985]. ### Supporting Evidence and Context - **Previous Performance**: Martin's last managerial role at Southampton ended after just one win in 16 Premier League matches, raising questions about his ability to turn around Rangers' fortunes [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rangers-new-manager-russell-martin-35339873]. - **Club's Recent History**: Rangers have been in search of a new manager since parting ways with their previous head coach, indicating a period of instability that Martin is expected to address [https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2064500/russell-martin-rangers-manager-davide-ancelotti-contender]. - **Fan Expectations**: Supporters are eager for a revival in the club's fortunes, particularly in the context of their rivalry with Celtic, which has seen Celtic dominate Scottish football in recent years [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14781251/Martins-man-Former-Southampton-boss-Russell-agrees-Rangers.html]. ### Conclusion and Future Outlook In summary, **Russell Martin's appointment as Rangers' new manager represents a significant step for the club as they seek to regain their competitive edge in Scottish football**. His previous experience, combined with a clear set of goals, positions him as a pivotal figure in the club's future. 1. **Appointment Confirmation**: Martin has officially taken over the managerial role at Rangers. 2. **Contract Duration**: He has signed a three-year deal, indicating a commitment to long-term development. 3. **Strategic Goals**: Martin aims to challenge Celtic's dominance and improve team performance. As Rangers move forward under Martin's leadership, the focus will be on rebuilding and fostering a winning mentality within the squad [https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/13379221/russell-martin-rangers-agree-terms-with-former-southampton-swansea-and-mk-dons-boss-to-be-new-head-coach].