Russell Martin wants to reunite with Southampton star at Rangers as boss eyes swoop – with EPL left-back also interested
The manager was quizzed on James Tavernier's future
FLYING FLYNN Russell Martin wants to reunite with Southampton star at Rangers as boss eyes swoop – with EPL left-back also interested
NEW Rangers boss Russell Martin wants to raid old club Southampton for highly-rated Flynn Downes.
But he could be priced out of a move, with relegated Saints demanding at least £10million for the classy playmaker.
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The clock is already ticking for Russell Martin to get his transfer business done
Credit: Willie Vass
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Flynn Downes is on his radar
Credit: Getty
Martin took Downes to St Mary's from West Ham, having also managed him at Swansea.
The 26-year-old could fancy a crack at the Premiership instead of a return to England's second tier with Saints.
But Martin will get no favours from his old club over the fee.
He will be busy in the transfer market after being handed £20m to overhaul the squad.
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Left-back Harry Toffolo is set to quit Nottingham Forest and is interested in a switch to Ibrox after playing only a handful of games late last season.
Martin will inherit Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz as left-backs, but the Turk has been heavily linked with a return home.
Veteran Leicester City defender Conor Coady is also on Gers' radar.
Meanwhile, Gers boss Martin insists he has no plans to strip James Tavernier of the Rangers captaincy.
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He said: 'He's been the captain for a very long time. If he's playing, I don't see any reason to change that. And if he's not playing, it will force someone else.
'First and foremost, I want to speak to him to explain to me and have a discussion about the last two years, his thoughts on the team.
SunSport reporters clash over Russell Martin as he's revealed as new Rangers boss
'His thoughts on what we're going to bring and how the players will feel about that.
'To play here as long as he has, to be captain as long as he has, takes a lot of energy. It's not easy.
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'I've been at a club where sometimes the one that's been there longest ends up getting criticised a lot because you've been there the longest.
'Then how much he gets used on the pitch will be down to Tav and how he trains and how he plays, the same as every player.
'But he's going to be hugely important in the culture here.
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'I know what he's like as a person behind the scenes and he's fantastic.
'He was when I played with him and hopefully it hasn't beaten him up too much. It doesn't seem like it has.
'He still seems like he plays with a big smile and a lot of enthusiasm.
'It does carry a big weight to be captain of a club this size. He's done it incredibly well.
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'How much he plays on the pitch, I can't sit here and tell you he's going to play 50 games, 20 games, whatever.
'It will be down to him in the way he performs and the way he buys into it, which I'm pretty sure he will.'
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The playmaker was a key player under Martin at St Mary's having previously played for him at Swansea Southampton playmaker Flynn Downes is reportedly a target for Rangers this summer. New boss Russell Martin is said to be keen on a reunion with the 26-year-old in the Scottish Premiership - having previously managed the 26-year-old at Swansea and the Saints. Downes was a key member of the Southampton team that secured promotion through the play-offs in the 2023/34 campaign while on loan from West Ham. He would return to to the south coast ahead of their return to the Premier League for a £15million fee. The Sun report that the newly relegated St Mary's side would demand at least £10million to sell Downes - and could price out Rangers. But with the American revolution in full flow at Ibrox, CEO Patrick Stewart has promised Martin he'll be handed a significant chunk of the £20million set to be injected in the Premiership giants by their new owners.. It could be a big call by sporting director Kevin Thelwell, with the report also noting Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo is a target as he prepares to leave the club as a free agent. The report comes after Record Sport revealed Conor Coady and Dor Turgerman on the shortlist of targets this summer. Negotiations have started with Leicester City over a potential deal to bring in experience Coady - while rising talent Turgerman has opened the door to a move by admitting he is ready to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
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5 hours ago
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Russell Martin wants to reunite with Southampton star at Rangers as boss eyes swoop – with EPL left-back also interested
The manager was quizzed on James Tavernier's future FLYING FLYNN Russell Martin wants to reunite with Southampton star at Rangers as boss eyes swoop – with EPL left-back also interested NEW Rangers boss Russell Martin wants to raid old club Southampton for highly-rated Flynn Downes. But he could be priced out of a move, with relegated Saints demanding at least £10million for the classy playmaker. Advertisement 3 The clock is already ticking for Russell Martin to get his transfer business done Credit: Willie Vass 3 Flynn Downes is on his radar Credit: Getty Martin took Downes to St Mary's from West Ham, having also managed him at Swansea. The 26-year-old could fancy a crack at the Premiership instead of a return to England's second tier with Saints. But Martin will get no favours from his old club over the fee. He will be busy in the transfer market after being handed £20m to overhaul the squad. Advertisement Left-back Harry Toffolo is set to quit Nottingham Forest and is interested in a switch to Ibrox after playing only a handful of games late last season. Martin will inherit Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz as left-backs, but the Turk has been heavily linked with a return home. Veteran Leicester City defender Conor Coady is also on Gers' radar. Meanwhile, Gers boss Martin insists he has no plans to strip James Tavernier of the Rangers captaincy. Advertisement He said: 'He's been the captain for a very long time. If he's playing, I don't see any reason to change that. And if he's not playing, it will force someone else. 'First and foremost, I want to speak to him to explain to me and have a discussion about the last two years, his thoughts on the team. SunSport reporters clash over Russell Martin as he's revealed as new Rangers boss 'His thoughts on what we're going to bring and how the players will feel about that. 'To play here as long as he has, to be captain as long as he has, takes a lot of energy. It's not easy. Advertisement 'I've been at a club where sometimes the one that's been there longest ends up getting criticised a lot because you've been there the longest. 'Then how much he gets used on the pitch will be down to Tav and how he trains and how he plays, the same as every player. 'But he's going to be hugely important in the culture here. 3 Advertisement 'I know what he's like as a person behind the scenes and he's fantastic. 'He was when I played with him and hopefully it hasn't beaten him up too much. It doesn't seem like it has. 'He still seems like he plays with a big smile and a lot of enthusiasm. 'It does carry a big weight to be captain of a club this size. He's done it incredibly well. Advertisement 'How much he plays on the pitch, I can't sit here and tell you he's going to play 50 games, 20 games, whatever. 'It will be down to him in the way he performs and the way he buys into it, which I'm pretty sure he will.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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