Russell Martin says Rangers icon was one of his footballing heroes growing up and reveals traits his players MUST have
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NEW Rangers manager Russell Martin has revealed that a massive Ibrox icon was one of his favourites growing up.
The ex-Gers defender signed a three-year deal this week to take over in the dugout, with the red carpet rolled out for his first day in the building.
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Russell Martin was unveiled as Rangers manager this week
Credit: Willie Vass
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He had a short spell playing at Ibrox
Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow
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He's revealed Paul Gascoigne was one of his footballing heroes
Credit: Getty
And now he's in the door supporters of the club are getting the chance to learn a bit more about him.
Speaking to the club, the Englishman said that Paul Gascoigne was one of his footballing heroes.
He said: "I know it will sound cliche but Gazza... I think all of us absolutely loved watching him.
"When they were flying and he was flying during Euro '96, and what he was doing up here.
"He was just an incredible player to watch."
Martin was born in 1986 meaning Gascoigne was turning out for England from early childhood until he was around 12, with his Gers spell taking place in the last three of those years.
The ex-Southampton gaffer was asked what three non-negotiable qualities are for players working under him ahead of his first season at the helm in Govan.
He replied: "Courage. Intensity. And honesty.
"I love watching a player or a group of players or a team start with something, an idea or way to improve, and seeing after the process what they're capable of achieving.
"I absolutely love being able to watch and see something that I think is a problem for a player then help them find the solution, and then see them actually enjoying finding the solution.
Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager
"When they do, that moment when it clicks is just the best."
He's already discussed wanting the best out of the current squad as well as hinting that he knows areas which will need improved in the transfer window.
He also revealed that his earliest memory of the sport was in Scotland, despite being born in Brighton.
He said: "At the Ayr Youth Cup watching my big brother play up here. I think I was three or four.
"I bought a plastic ball, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ball, and it got stolen outside my room in Butlins or Haven, whichever one it was.
"I was devestated, but I got bought a new one the next day.
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Gazza starred at Euro '96 for England when Martin was young
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
"That's my earliest footballing memory. Just watching him play and playing on the side of the pitch."
And having spoken openly about his managerial career being based on proving people wrong and never being first choice, he's said similar of his playing time too.
When asked about the moment when he knew he'd made it, he responded: "Never. Even when I was playing my first game for Wycombe I was thinking 'I've played a professional game now, that'll be it, at least I've had one game'.
"And I've never felt comfortable once throughout my career, so not at one point did I think I'd cracked it or I'd made it, and definitely before that I didn't think I could do it.
"So I'm very grateful that I did!"
He went on to make almost 600 club appearances, mostly for Wycombe and Norwich, and was capped 29 times for Scotland.
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