Russell Martin can transform Rangers as ex-owner loves him
And to this day, the ex-MK Dons owner insists he loves Martin dearly for the work he did at his beloved club.
Winkelman gave the Rangers managerial candidate his big break in management in the English lower leagues. The 39-year-old had the Dons playing free-flowing football and quickly attracted the attentions of Swansea.
But it wasn't just what he delivered on the pitch. His old boss says he brought the whole club together as his impact went beyond just the training pitch and a game on a Saturday.
Winkelman told the Scottish Sun: "I love the man. I wish him every success.
Read more: On-loan Rangers star makes Ibrox admission as future remains unclear
European side consider Rangers coach as next manager and launch 'enquiry'
'He will bring a hell of a lot to Rangers. It won't just be a little tweak here or there to what happens on the pitch.
'Throughout the club, he'll get everyone together.
'Russ has an understanding of the whole club, and great knowledge of how all the parts come together.
'It's not just about coaching for him, he understands how the club all fits.
'This is probably the kind of talk that impressed the Rangers bosses in his interview.
'You need that understanding if you're competing at the top of the Premiership. It's as tough as it can be.
'I'll be thrilled for him if he gets the job. I'll be excited to see what he can do.
'Rangers will certainly be an attractive team to watch if Russ gets the job.
'I'll be watching for Rangers' results now. You tend to do that with people you really like.'
Winkelman once appointed Roberto Di Matteo, who went onto win the Champions League with Chelsea, and former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince.
He holds Martin in similar regard, adding: 'Russ was one of the best appointments I made, and I like to think I made a few.
'I gave Roberto Di Matteo his first job, and he ended up winning the Champions League with Chelsea.
'I gave Paul Ince his second job in management and that went well, too.
'I'm quite pleased with my track record in appointing managers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres makes Man Utd U-turn after learning Arsenal transfer decision
Viktor Gyokeres had looked to have ruled out a move to Manchester United after their Champions League failure - putting Arsenal in pole position - but the Sporting Lisbon star may have had a change of heart Victor Gyokeres looks to have changed his tune and is now open to a move to Manchester United - despite them not having Champions League football - which was believed to have been a determining factor. The Swede has long been expected to leave Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal had been seen as his most likely destination if he did head to the Premier League. But now a reunion with Ruben Amorim could be on the cards, reports talkSPORT. No formal talks have been held between those in Manchester and Sporting bosses, but the Red Devils' pursuit of a new striker is well documented. The Portuguese side want around £60million for Gyökeres - which is a £25m reduction on his £85m release clause. Gyokeres has a verbal agreement in place with Sporting allowing him to leave for less after he chose to stay in Lisbon last summer. Arsenal, like United, are in the market for a new frontman after opting against signing a new No 9 for several windows. Mirror Football understands that Arsenal are prioritising Benjamin Sesko, though. Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta has been negotiating with representatives of both players and their respective clubs simultaneously as the Gunners seek the best deal. However, the decision among the club's hierarchy is to push forward with their swoop for the RB Leipzig forward, rather than Gyokeres. That would leave the Swede, who scored more than 50 times in all competitions, looking for a new buyer. Several of Europe's top clubs are not looking to add a striker which means, even for a player of his quality, options may be limited. Amorim was the man who signed Gyokeres after he impressed in the Championship with Coventry City, later helping him become one of Europe's most prolific strikers. The United boss has just missed out on Liam Delap, who chose to join Chelsea, leaving him to review other options. Matheus Cunha has already been signed for £62.5m. The 27-year-old has just helped Sporting claim the domestic double and has remained tight-lipped on his future. He said: 'Let us see. It's hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what's going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.' Gyokeres was asked specifically about the possibility of joining Arsenal and added: 'I don't know, I just focus on this. I've tried to focus on the last games because it's so important and I don't want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let's see in the summer.'
Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta adds Aston Villa star to Arsenal's new four-man transfer shortlist
Morgan Rogers starred for Aston Villa as they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, attracting the attention of Arsenal who are set for a busy summer transfer window Morgan Rogers has emerged as a target for Arsenal following a stunning season with Aston Villa. The midfielder fired in 14 goals and registered 15 assists in all competitions, including scoring a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League. His peformances for Villa earned him a place in the England squad, making his debut in the defeat to Greece last November, as well as a nomination for the Premier League's Young Player of the Year award. His displays in the Midlands have caught the eye of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. After a third successive runners-up finish in the Premier League, Arteta is desperate to finally take his side over the line and win their first title since 2004. A striker has long been assumed to be the top target, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko both heavily linked with a move to the Emirates. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is also closing in on joining the Gunners. Despite the Spaniard arriving in a £51million deal, it appears Arteta is keen to further boost his midfield options. Jorginho has already departed on a free transfer, while negotiations with Thomas Partey over a new deal are ongoing. Even while those talks continue, Arteta is bidding to strengthen in that area of the pitch. According to The Times, Rogers has been added to a shortlist of four players Arsenal will look to target. Arteta is keen to bring in a left winger, a forward, a centre-back and a midfielder in addition to Zubimendi this summer. Rogers' versatility makes him an attractive player to the Gunners boss. The 22-year-old has featured in attacking midfield, at striker and out wide for Villa. But it would take a bumper offer to prise him away from Villa, with his contract having another five years to run. Feyenoord's Igor Paixão is also on the list and would be a cheaper alternative to Rogers. Bayern Munich 's Leroy Sané and Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams complete Arteta's shortlist. The Gunners are said to have held talks with the representatives of Williams and Sané. The latter is out of contract at Bayern Munich though would likely demand an expensive wage package. Williams meanwhile has a £42million release clause, but is expected to demand a salary of more than £250,000 a week. Rogers has previously made it clear he is happy with life at Villa, having won the club's Young Player of the Year award. 'Never a moment's rest,' he said in March as he hailed boss Unai Emery. 'When you probably least expect it is where he'll catch you out, telling you about yourself. For me personally, I wouldn't change it. "It's what you need sometimes, when you've had a few good games, sometimes you might not be as at it, that 1 per cent. He will make sure that 1 per cent is nipped in the bud straight away. He always drags the best out of you."
Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Chelsea's new signing Liam Delap makes decision on England U21 duty amid Club World Cup clash
Liam Delap will not be named in Lee Carsley 's England squad on Friday for this month's Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia, as the striker is going to fly to the United States with Chelsea for the Club World Cup instead. The two tournaments clash this summer, though FIFA's expanded club competition takes priority over the UEFA event where the Young Lions will be looking to defend their Euros crown after winning it under Carsley in 2023. Mail Sport understands Chelsea have been speaking with the Football Association ever since it became clear they were winning the race for Delap's signature. His £30million move from Ipswich was confirmed on Wednesday night and the 22-year-old will wear the No 9 shirt under Enzo Maresca. Chelsea's first game in the Club World Cup will be on June 16 when they face Los Angeles FC in Atlanta. The final will be held on July 13 in New Jersey. It is believed Delap has the blessing of Carsley to go away with Chelsea, with the England boss understanding of his unique situation despite it being a blow to his own squad selection. Carsley will name the 23 players he is taking to Slovakia on Friday. Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich as they were relegated to the Championship. Manchester United fought hard to sign him, while there was also interest from Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Newcastle, as well as clubs in Italy, Germany and Spain, as his £30m release clause was considered a bargain. Chelsea secured him as they had made their interest clear in January and continued conversations with Ipswich ever since.
