Dave King issues Rangers manager warning to new owners
The former chairman suggested Steven Gerrard was the "obvious" choice for the role, having previously worked with him during his first spell as boss.
However, Gerrard, 45, withdrew from the running due to family commitments, leaving Russel Martin and Davide Ancelotti as the main candidates, with Francesco Farioli also in consideration.
Of the three, only Martin, a former Scotland international, has experience in the Scottish game, having had a short stint at Ibrox as a player.
King strongly implied that appointing someone without experience in Scottish football would be a significant risk, although he expressed confidence in the new US owners' ability to "manage" the risk effectively.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "If I look at who is available for the club, I think it's quite a challenge for them because when you're bringing in a new manager, I refer to the Glasgow environment.
"Some people think that's a little bit unfair, but certainly in my experience, Mark Warburton and others all thought they got the Glasgow thing.
"But until you get to Glasgow, you don't get the Glasgow thing.
"Even someone like Steven (Gerrard) who came from Liverpool, where you think is closer to the Glasgow thing.
"Once you come in and you're managing one of the two big clubs in Glasgow... you can try and think you understand it and you can speak to people who have been there before, but until you actually get in there you don't really get it.
"So, I think that's the factor that I would be wary of and I think the 49ers will consider bringing in a European manager that's got no experience of Scottish football at all.
"That's going to go from Champions League qualifiers to going off to the north of Scotland on a drab, wet, windy Wednesday evening and have to motivate your players and try and get a result."
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The Independent
43 minutes ago
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Daily Record
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an hour ago
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Inside Russell Martin's first day as Rangers boss as manager gets V.I.P treatment with tour of Ibrox and Edmiston House
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN jetted into Glasgow airport from Heathrow early on Thursday morning to become Rangers' new head coach. Rangers finally got their man to replace Philippe Clement permanently last week with the appointment of ex-Southampton boss and Scotland international, Russell Martin. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Russell Martin became Rangers' 20th permanent manager earlier this week Credit: PA 3 Martin was given a tour of Edmiston House on his first day 3 Martin walking down the tunnel at Ibrox There had been a plethora of names linked with the job since Clement's departure, and also after interim-boss Barry Ferguson left too. In the end, it came down to two; Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti, and it was the former Gers defender that won the race. In a behind-the-scenes video posted by Rangers, Martin said: "It's been a long, long few weeks, it's been interesting, but it's been good. "It's brilliant to be back, I love the city and I love the people." Despite his short spell at the Ibrox club, Martin said: "I was desperate to come back at some point." He also admitted that the Rangers job was the job he was desperate for, despite interest from elsewhere. It looked at one point like he was set to join newly-relegated Leicester City, but that didn't amount to anything in the end. Martin arrived at Ibrox and immediately met CEO Patrick Stewart and new sporting director Kevin Thelwell. It was straight down to media duties for the new Ibrox boss, as he changed into his suit and was straight in front of the cameras. Reminiscing on his loan-spell at the club, he was surprised by one tweak in the dressing room, exclaiming: "There's cushions now, it was just benches when I was here!" Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager He teased the Ibrox faithful as he caught his first glance of Rangers' away strip, saying "That's the away kit? Very nice. "Kids are going to go mad for that one!" The new Gers boss met the media, and then went straight for a tour of Edmiston House, saying the club have "done brilliantly" with the club museum. Martin is set for a busy start to life as Rangers boss, navigating what is set to be a busy transfer window. He will have a tough task keeping midfield duo Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin with the Light Blues as interest in the pair grows. He is also under pressure to strengthen the squad as the Gers aim for some silverware. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
