Russell Martin maps out how Rangers can topple Celtic

The National

2 days ago

The 39-year-old is the new head coach of the Ibrox club having been officially unveiled in Glasgow yesterday.
The former Southampton manager has been out of work since December. He has signed a three-year deal with Rangers.
The ex-Scotland international fielded questions from the media on Thursday morning during his press conference unveiling.
▫️ What is success next season?
▫️ How can Martin's side catch Celtic?
▫️ Talks with 'hugely important' Tavernier
▫️ 'One or two' will join before CL qualifiers
Our 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 interview with Rangers head coach Russell Martin ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kyKbU8VJHf — Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) June 6, 2025
Now, in a further wide-ranging interview with Sky Sports, Martin has explained what can be achieved in his time as Rangers boss, and in what sort of timeframe that will be doable.
Asked if his new Rangers side can get the better of Brendan Rodgers' team, he responded: "I want us to keep improving and be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
"We have to win, and we have to win a lot. I think history shows you that when Rangers are performing and have momentum and energy, with a team of clarity and belief, it can lead to anything and to big success.
"That's what I want, so I'm here, I want to be here to win things and to feel that here, and I hope we can do that.
"The club needs new energy, it needs a fresh start. It's been a tough time for the club and Rangers fans over the last however many years.
"I think this will bring some fresh energy, it will bring some stability and it will hopefully bring a really exciting team on the pitch.
"That's the end product and that's what we all want, a team that wins and wins in a certain way and with a culture and environment that we all feel really aligned with and proud of."
Read more:
The club are a little over a month away from their first competitive game of the 2025/26 season.
This will come in the form of a Champions League qualifier - a huge match for the team early in his tenure.
Martin has revealed that there are some key areas he and other key figures at Rangers will need to recruit for before that two-legged tie towards the end of July.
"There are a few positions where we'll need to strengthen fairly quickly and fairly early on," he added. "I'm also willing to be surprised and I'm open to being surprised by some of the players we have here.
"I think the way we're going to try and work and play is going to give them the best chance to show us what they've got and to give us the best version of themselves and hopefully one or two surprises.
"We'll need some help before that game for sure, but until we get in here and assess everyone, how many we'll need before the game or how realistic that is because football and the business and transfer window can be difficult.
"I'm pretty sure by then we'll have one or two people [in], to help us add to the group."