Win fans over and dismantle Celtic – Russell Martin has work to do at Rangers

Russell Martin has been appointed as the new head coach of Rangers.

The former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager takes over from Philippe Clement, who departed in February and was replaced by interim boss Barry Ferguson.

The appointment of a new boss comes following the confirmation of the takeover by an American consortium of Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises while Kevin Thelwell recently officially joined the Light Blues from Everton as the new sporting director.

It’s all change at Ibrox and, here, the PA news agency looks at the in-tray awaiting Martin who has to quickly get his side ready for July’s Champions League qualifiers.

Win over the fans

There has been a mood of disgruntlement among many Rangers fans before and since the confirmation of Martin as the new man in the hotseat. 

Rangers supporters are unhappy with his performance in the Premier League, where he was sacked by Southampton after a horror start to the season, after bringing them up through the play-offs.

There is the perception that Martin was too dogmatic in his possession-based style of play and paid the price in the English top flight. He is already under severe and unprecedented pressure to hit the ground running.

Squad overhaul

There’s plenty of work to be done to overhaul Rangers’ squad which ended up trophyless last season, albeit reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Rangers confirmed the departures of Ianis Hagi, Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence with their contracts set to expire.

Loanees Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes have also left the club while players like Robin Propper, Nedim Bajrami, Ben Davies, Kieran Dowall – the latter two who spent last season at loan at Birmingham – are expected to depart.

Midfielder Lyall Cameron will arrive from Dundee but he will not be alone. Arguably, a new goalkeeper, right-back, left-back, two centre-backs, two wingers, a number 10 and a striker is required.

Of course, much will depend on the style favoured by Martin and how much money is made available but the Light Blues will have a new look next season.

What to do with Raskin and Dessers?

Midfielder Nicolas Raskin is arguably the club’s biggest asset following a terrific season during which he broke into the Belgium national side.

The 24-year-old, who signed from Standard Liege in January 2023 for a reported fee of around £1.3million has two years left on his contract.

Rangers fans remain disgruntled about players like Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos who were allowed to run down their deals and leave for nothing.

Enigmatic Cyriel Dessers has often been a frustrating figure since signing from Cremonese in 2023 but ended up top scorer in the Premiership last season with 18 goals while he netted 29 times for Rangers in total, taking his tally over two seasons to 51.

Rangers fans appear split on whether the Nigeria international, contracted to 2027, should stay or go. But how much would it cost to replace him with a striker who guarantees the same goal return?

Trophies needed

Martin may just have walked in the door but he will be expected to win silverware this season with Celtic dominating Scottish football.

Rangers fans watched their Old Firm rivals clinch their 13th league title in 14 seasons – albeit the Light Blues had a better head-to-head in league games – and only a Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties denied the Hoops a sixth domestic treble in nine years.

It will be down to Martin to change that direction of travel.

Euro qualifiers next month

The appointment of Martin dragged on and Rangers are facing a race against time for next season.

The Light Blues will have to go through three rounds of qualifying in order to reach the league phase of the Champions League, the first of which is July 22-23.

Rangers return for pre-season training on June 23 and, somehow, Martin needs to assemble a squad to hit the ground running.