Russell Martin directly responds to Rangers manager appointment live on air

Russell Martin directly responds to Rangers manager appointment live on air

Russell Martin has been out of work since being sacked by Southampton in December, and has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Rangers.

 

The Light Blues identified Martin as a serious contender for the dugout duties at Ibrox immediately after parting company with former boss Phillipe Clement.

 

 

 

Rangers have endured a difficult domestic campaign, and sit 16 points behind league leaders Celtic ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm Derby.

 

A 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren on Saturday 22 February spelled the end of the road for Clement, who has been replaced by interim boss Barry Ferguson.

 

rangers

Russell Martin

Martin reveals stance on Rangers vacancy

The former Southampton boss appeared as a guest on Sky Sports‘ Monday Night Football coverage of the Premier League fixture between West Ham and Newcastle on 10 March.

 

MORE RANGERS STORIES

 

During the show, host David Jones asked Martin: “Where will we see you next, Russell?

 

“Are you thinking that you will get another shot at the Premier League next, or is it going to be the Championship, are you going to have to go abroad?

 

“Scotland, perhaps, there’s been links to Rangers.”

 

Join the Ibrox News WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.

Martin replied: “I think I’m realistic, I don’t think I’d get another Premier League chance right now.

 

“I really don’t know (what’s next). I’m really open to working abroad (or) in England again.

 

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

 

 

Rangers manager Barry Ferguson. (Credit: Imago)

Having previously managed MK Dons and Swansea, Martin took up the managerial duties at Southampton ahead of the 2023/24 Championship season.

 

His first campaign with the Saints was a great success, as he guided them to the Premier League via a play-off final victory over Leeds last May, but that didn’t last long.

 

Martin could be a part of an exciting new era at Ibrox

Rangers are currently enjoying an impressive Europa League campaign, which has been largely overseen by former boss Clement, while interim Ferguson guided his side to a brilliant 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul last Thursday.

 

Ferguson is now tasked with protecting that lead over Jose Mourinho’s side, and guiding the Light Blues to the Europa League quarter-finals.

 

But the Gers have majorly struggled domestically this term, hence the gap between themselves and bitter rivals Celtic.

 

Scottish Premiership table (Top two, 11/03/2025) Goal difference Points

1 Celtic 70 75

2 Rangers 33 59

Rangers are 16 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership

Rangers also suffered a Scottish Cup upset as they were defeated 1-0 at Ibrox by Championship outfit Queen’s Park on 9 February, while December witnessed a League Cup final defeat to Celtic in a penalty shootout.

 

Better times are seemingly on the horizon for the Ibrox giants, though, as the completion of the 49ers’ proposed takeover of the club should be just a matter of time away now.

 

If Martin takes the managerial reins at Rangers, he could be a part of an exciting new future under the stewardship of new owners who have impressed during their time in charge of Leeds.