Russell Martin 'wins' next Rangers manager race as claim made he has accepted the job
The one-time Gers loanee has been out of work since getting sacked at Southampton last December
Russell Martin has reportedly won the race to become the next manager of Rangers.
The Ibrox club have been on the hunt for a permanent boss since the end of February, with ex club captain Barry Ferguson overseeing the final three months of the campaign after Philippe Clement was shown the door.
That search has only been ramped up in recent days following Friday's confirmation that the 49ers Enterprises group lead by Andrew Cavenagh have completed their takeover of the club.
Martin, 39, and former Real Madrid number two Davide Ancelotti have been seen as the leading contenders for the vacancy and have both helds talks with Ibrox chiefs, who have also been joined by new sporting director Kevin Thelwell and technical director Dan Purdy following their arrivals from Everton.
But Fabrizio Romano claims that Martin - who spent a brief loan spell at Rangers in 2018 during his playing career - is poised to be announced as the new Light Blues boss.
Martin has been out of work since getting the sack at Premier League club Southampton last December - but months after leading them back to England's top tier via the Championship play-offs.
The former Scotland international previously enjoyed a decent two year stint in charge of Swansea City, where his eye-catching brand of football won him a move to St Mary's.
Should he land the job, then Martin will need to hit the ground running with the new season just around the corner.
The Rangers squad are set to report back to Auchenhowie for pre-season later this month ahead of their qualifying campaign to reach the revamped group stage of the Champions League.
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The left-back converted a first half penalty, his first of his professional career and the first of many, after Derek Johnstone had handled the ball on the line. He is reminded about the moment to this day. However, that was arguably Edvaldsson's finest hour-and-a-half as a Parkhead player. He was drafted into the starting line-up in midfield after Ronnie Glavin was ruled out by an injury he had picked up on Scotland duty and performed brilliantly. He always seemed to rise to the occasion in Old Firm derbies. Read more: 'That was a very tetchy game,' said Lynch. 'But I think we deserved to win. It was a big thing for the club, beating our greatest rivals to complete a league and cup double. Shuggie had a very good game that day despite being played out of position. 'Pat [Stanton] slotted in behind Roddie and Johannes and that meant Danny [McGrain] and I were able to attack down the flanks. We were forced into it because of Ronnie not being available, but it actually made us stronger. Our defence was able to cope with Rangers' long ball game.' Both men were in the Celtic side two years later when they came from behind to beat leaders Rangers 4-2 in their final Premier Division game at Parkhead and clinch a famous Scottish title triumph despite Johnny Doyle being sent off – a victory which has since become known as 'When 10 Men Won The League'. 'That's probably the biggest game I was ever involved in,' said Lynch. 'It was incredible night. The official attendance given was 52,000, but there were far more people than that there. When Johnny got sent off with Rangers leading 1-0 and we went down to 10 men. I thought, 'That's us done'. But we came back to win. Johannes played his part that night too.' (Image: SNS GROUP) Edvaldsson moved on the following year and played for the Tulsa Roughnecks in the United States and Hannover 96 in Germany before returning to Scotland and spending two seasons with Motherwell. He moved into the hospitality industry when he retired from football and ran a pub in Glasgow as well as a hotel in Poolewe in the Highlands. 'He opened a pub in Bridgeton Cross after he left the club and I popped in to see him shortly afterwards,' said Lynch. 'I said, 'Johannes, this area is a real Rangers stronghold, it's not a Celtic area!' He said, 'Oh no! They told me they'd love to have me here!' He picked the wrong spot. But that was the sort of guy he was, he would just go for it.' The 34-times capped player certainly had, after stints with Valur in his homeland, Cape Town City in South Africa, Metz in France and Holbaek in Denmark, no qualms about moving to this country to further his career. His old captain is adamant that, despite the overseas players who had plied their trade here before him, he had a seismic impact on Scottish football. 'I definitely think Johannes was the start of the influx of foreign players,' he said. 'He had a good attitude, he adapted to the game and to the lifestyle here well, he was popular with his fellow players and the fans. Yes, more foreign players coming over would have happened at some point. But if he hadn't been able to do the business then clubs would have been put off. 'I think foreign players are good for the Scottish game. I know people get upset at the lack of Scottish players coming through and I understand why, but I do I think they're good for the game. Look at all the brilliant players we've had over the years. They give the fans a bit of colour and excitement. Johannes certainly did when he was at Celtic.'
