Martin on proving doubters wrong, 'winning early' & transfer backing
Russell Martin has been speaking to the media for the first time after being confirmed as new Rangers head coach.Here are the key lines:On landing the job: "Its an incredible feeling. Grateful to everyone for their faith in me. It's taken some time, but that's what you expect when you want to be manager of this football club.On why he wanted the job: "I had a few opportunities since I left Southampton, bit of a break with no real interest to get straight back in. I wanted to take time to reflect. That time was really important. This was the one I really wanted. One because of expectation, the size of it and what it mean to so many people. Also the opportunity to experience something completely different to anything else in football, that's what I felt when I played here for a short period. One thing that hurt me a lot as a player was it didn't go well here. I'm desperate to show a different version of myself. The whole thing is really exciting." On what fans can expect from his team: "We've managed three clubs [MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton] and they have all looked really different. It's all the same concept, try and be aggressive with and without the ball. We're here to win and we'll do that in the best possible way we can. Hard working first and foremost. Making the club sustainable with academy players coming through and creating assets.On his short and long-term aims: "Win trophies. Build a culture at the training ground and here that we are proud of and people can feel in the building. An environment of hard work, honesty and openness. We're going to do it in our way. We're all on the same journey, ultimately that means to win trophies."On his message to the fans: "Supporters are the most important part at any club. My job is to give them a team they identify with. You need to work hard, you want people who have that to be at the club. To the fans, I have to win. I don't think I've been number one choice [with the fans] at any club I've been at. By the time we've left anywhere we've felt a real connection with the fans. I hope this will be the same. I hope people judge me at this moment [as manager] and not my time as a player here. My period here before gave me incredible learning."On proving doubters wrong: "I have to be [confident I can do it]. I have a lot to prove. My whole career has been based on proving people wrong."On whether he will be backed financially: "We've always been able to create a team we enjoy watching. The squad in place now can do better and be better. We're going to add. We're clear on what we need. But also giving people a chance to show a better version of themselves. Players always surprise you."On whether he thinks he can immediately challenge for title: "We're confident we can have a team that's better and win more points and really compete to win trophies."On his playing style: "Based on courage and intensity. Courage to take the ball and express yourself in final third. Concept of the game will always be the same, try and dominate the ball and territory, to to that you need to be aggressive without the ball."On what assistant coach Matt Gill will bring: "He brings technical expertise, brilliant coach, played a huge role in developing players at Norwich Under-21s. We're very different personalities."On whether he will get time and patience: "We need to win early and find a way to win while developing. We had to do that at Southampton, winning in a period of change. I can't sit here and say we need two years to build, I want us to keep improving and developing. The end product might not click immediately, but we need to find a way of winning while developing that."
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