logo
Martin determined to prove doubters wrong

Martin determined to prove doubters wrong

BBC Newsa day ago

Russell Martin acknowledges he was not the first pick of some Rangers fans to be the club's new head coach, but he is determined to prove his doubters wrong.Many supporters have expressed displeasure at the decision to appoint the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss on a three-year deal.But the ex-Rangers defender says his history of winning over critics makes him convinced he can do so again at Ibrox.Asked whether he is confident he can prove his doubters wrong, Martin replied: "I have to be. I have a lot to prove. My whole career has been based on proving people wrong."Some names in football management are a bit more exciting than others, but I feel after five-and-a-half years of being a manger, coach and leader, I love doing it. I'm going to be all in with my energy.""Ultimately I just want to win. If I'm winning, I'm sure [the fans] will be happy."The 39-year-old, who led Southampton to Premier League promotion last year but was sacked by December after just one win in 16 games, wants to give the Rangers fans "a team they identify with".Martin concedes he has not been the initial "number one choice" with the supporters at any club he has managed, but he is hoping to forge a "real connection" with the demanding fanbase in Govan.In order to that, however, the ex-Scotland centre-back knows he needs to show them instant success."To the fans, I have to win," Martin added. "I don't think I've been number one choice [with the fans] at any club I've been at. "But, by the time we've left anywhere, we've felt a real connection with the fans. I hope this will be the same."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Preston sign Charlton's Small on four-year deal
Preston sign Charlton's Small on four-year deal

BBC News

time32 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Preston sign Charlton's Small on four-year deal

Preston North End have signed defender Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic on a four-year 20-year-old joins after the two clubs agreed compensation ahead of the end of his contract later this moves to Deepdale off the back of winning promotion with the Addicks to the Championship through last season's League One signing for Preston, Thierry told the club website:, external "I'm over the moon. It's an exciting time, a big part of my career now, and I just can't wait to get started."Speaking with the manager here, I feel like this was the next step for me to take. For me, it's just to keep on learning, keep on developing and I feel like Preston's the best club for me to do that whilst helping the team and hopefully achieving some success."After coming through Everton's youth set-up, Small made his Toffees debut in the FA Cup as a 16-year-old and went on to join there he had spells on loan at Port Vale and St Mirren before joining Charlton in 2024 where he made 62 appearances for the club."Thierry's someone we were really keen to bring in and I think he's matched our enthusiasm by making the decision to sign," boss Paul Heckingbottom said."He wants to come here to work hard and keep improving his game. He's a player with real pace and power, who loves to get at his man one-v-one and get crosses into the box. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a PNE shirt."

Roldan wins Tour of Britain stage two in Saltburn as Faulkner takes overall lead
Roldan wins Tour of Britain stage two in Saltburn as Faulkner takes overall lead

The Guardian

time35 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Roldan wins Tour of Britain stage two in Saltburn as Faulkner takes overall lead

Mara Roldan pulled off a successful late breakaway on the steep approach to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, winning the second stage of the Tour of Britain Women by 12 seconds. The 21-year-old, who rides for Picnic-PostNL, made a push for victory with 14km to go and held on to win ahead of Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek). British teenager Cat Ferguson (Movistar) finished fifth for the second stage in a row, just behind third-placed Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) and Roldan's teammate Megan Jastrab. Also in the chasing group was Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), who finished ninth but did enough to take the overall leader's green jersey. Faulkner, the Olympic road race champion in Paris, leads a frustrated Markus by just four seconds. Ferguson is fourth behind Wollaston, 14 seconds off Faulkner's mark, with two stages to go. The day began at Hartlepool docks in wet conditions, with stage one winner and overall leader Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) falling early to all but end her GC chances. Le Court sits 21st overall after stage two, while the two-times former winner, Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) is down in 16th place. Stage three on Saturday will start and end in Kelso as riders take a circuitous 148.7km route through the Scottish Borders. The race concludes with a 10-lap circuit around Glasgow city centre on Sunday.

Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric appointed Atalanta manager
Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric appointed Atalanta manager

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric appointed Atalanta manager

Ivan Juric has been appointed as Atalanta's next first-team manager just a couple of months on from presiding over Southampton's relegation from the Premier League. The Croatian endured a dreadful tenure at St Mary's after taking the reins, four days before Christmas last year, winning just two of 16 matches and immediately resigning when their relegation was confirmed. Before that, Juric had an ill-fated two-month stint at Roma from September to November 2024 but he has now signed a deal until June 30, 2027, to replace Gian Piero Gasperini at the Gewiss Stadium. He has big shoes to fill in Bergamo as Gasperini guided Atalanta to a third-place finish in Serie A to secure a spot in next season's Champions League, while he won the Europa League with them in 2023-24. Juric – whose coaching CV includes three separate stints at Genoa in two-and-a-half years, followed by spells at Hellas Verona and Torino – will officially start his role from July 1. 'Atalanta BC is delighted to announce that Ivan Juric will be the club's new men's first-team manager, starting from 1 July 2025,' a statement on the club's website read.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store