Rangers chief confident Russell Martin will win over supporters
After Kevin Thelwell was officially installed as sporting director on Monday, the 39-year-old former Southampton boss, who had a loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, was confirmed in the Ibrox hot seat on Friday morning.
However, Martin's arrival has not been met with universal approval by Gers supporters.
Stewart revealed Martin was the only person offered the job and believes the Ibrox club have taken a diligent approach to finding a successor to Philippe Clement, who left in February before former captain Barry Ferguson took over until the end of the season.
'Firstly, we're always very sensitive and aware of supporters' sentiment on any issue,' said Stewart.
'And, yeah, I'm aware that supporters have strong views on who the right person for the role is.
'So we'll always factor that in to a degree, but equally, I've been talking a lot about process and making sure we've got people and experts in that are qualified to make decisions.
'So we've really put our trust in our process, making sure we've got right people in to make decisions and with a lot of discipline.
'We're not oblivious to the noise at all, not at all.
'But I think, because we conducted such a thorough process to take us to this point where we've appointed Russell, we're confident the supporters will get behind him, particularly when they see him in action.'
Stewart believes the appointment of former MK Dons and Swansea boss Martin, which followed last Friday's takeover by an American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, signalled a 'seismic' change at the Ibrox club.
Stewart said: 'It clearly is incredibly significant.
'That's two seismic changes. In fact, three, if you look we've had a change of ownership, followed by our sporting director coming in, followed by a head coach being announced.
'That's an awful lot of activity for one club in one week.
'So I think it does herald a really positive new chapter for the club.
'It is a seismic period for the club and sets a really strong foundation for the future.'
After a trophyless season for Rangers, Stewart outlined his expectations for Martin.
He said: 'First and foremost about taking the current squad that we've got and making it better, then also adding to the squad over the summer.
'And it's about competing again.
'I think we all accept that last season just passed, we were way off, and that's not where we want to be.
'That's not acceptable as a club. So it's about competing again on all fronts and that is the expectation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers linked Davide Ancelotti ‘makes major decision on his future as he lands new job'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS managerial contender Davide Ancelotti has reportedly joined his legendary father Carlo at Brazil. Ancelotti was one of the front runners to take over from Philippe Clement at Ibrox, but missed out on landing the job to former Southampton boss Russell Martin. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Davide Ancelotti at Real Madrid Credit: Getty 2 Davide is teaming up with his legendary father Carlo at Brazil Credit: Reuters The 39-year-old was appointed the new manager on Thursday and vowed to win over his doubters. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims on Friday, Davide Ancelotti has made a major decision on his future and is teaming up with his dad Carlo once again. He posted on Twitter: "Davide Ancelotti joins Brazil staff with his father Carlo, decision made and contract signed." Ancelotti has already been his father's number two at Real Madrid, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Everton. But it appeared he was set to go out on his own at Rangers after months of speculation linking him with the top job at Ibrox. He had indicated that Rangers were his preferred choice but had a number of options to consider, with Spanish second division side Deportivo and Swiss outfit Basel reportedly interested. One of those other opportunities also included rejoining his father at Brazil after leaving Real Madrid and that's the decision he has reportedly made. Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge of Brazil ended in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador on Thursday, which he still described as a "special" occasion. Chances were at a premium, with Brazil only mustering two shots on target. He said after the game: "I think the pitch conditions here made it a bit tricky to play a more intricate game from the back. "It was harder to control the ball. "That said, we had two very good chances, with Vinicius Jr, with Casemiro in the second half. "Yes, we could've done better in attack, but you've also got to take into account the strength of the opponent. "Ecuador played a very good game, just as we did... The journeys here are really long, that takes its toll a bit." Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager The draw keeps them fourth in World Cup qualification in South America with an encounter against Paraguay to come. The top six automatically qualify for next year's showpiece. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Steve Clarke facing Scotland goalkeeper crisis as bleak picture laid bare after Slicker's Iceland horror show
The Scotland head coach has been left short of options between the sticks after injuries picked up by Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Steve Clarke has revealed he was forced to hand rookie goalkeeper Cieran Slicker his international debut in last night's 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland due to his second choice stopper Robby McCrorie suffering a thigh injury during the warm-up. The inexperienced and uncapped Ipswich Town No.2 had to replace Angus Gunn after just three minutes at Hampden Park when the former Southampton and Norwich City man appeared to land awkwardly on his ankle as he attempted to claim a high ball. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Slicker endured a torrid night between the sticks and had a part to play in all three of Iceland's goals as they clinched a first win over the Scots at the seventh attempt, having lost all six previous meetings. 'It was a difficult night,' Clarke sighed. 'It didn't get off to the best of starts when we lost our number two goalkeeper in the warm-up then two minutes into the game our number one gets injured as well. 'It was a tough night and I feel a little bit for young Cieran. I'll sit with him over the next couple of days and have a little chat about it. I'll give him reassurance because he probably went in when it was too early. 'He wasn't quite ready for it. That wasn't his fault. That's the circumstances that dictated that. We'll now try and support him as much as we can. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Listen, he'll get over it. Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch. His character is good in and around the squad. He's comfortable. This was probably just an opportunity that came a little bit too early for him. But we'll be there to support him and help him. 'We could talk about about Cieran and what happened for him, but it's a circumstance I pointed out in March. I could see something like this possibly happening. 'The only crumb of comfort to take from it is that it happened in a friendly match. And hopefully we can be better prepared when it comes to the autumn.' Elaborating further on his lack of goalkeeping options, Clarke revealed the dire state of the current situation he is now facing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He added: 'Angus and Robby are both out. Angus hurt his ankle and Robby has a thigh injury. Craig Gordon is injured, Liam Kelly is injured, Zander Clarke in injured. Now Angus and Robby are injured. 'Fortunately we had young Callan McKenna (from AFC Bournemouth) in training with us this week so he'll join the squad. I'll also have a little scout around and see if anybody is not on the beach and is available to come.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Steve Clarke admits Cieran Slicker wasn't ready for Scotland debut as boss issues goalkeeping SOS for Liechtenstein
With Liam kelly injured, Clarke will take teenager Callan McKenna and try to find a more experienced option who isn't on holiday Steve Clarke admits Cieran Slicker wasn't ready for his Scotland debut as he sent out a goalkeeping SOS for any Scottish keepers still in the country. Slicker was thrown in at the deep after just a couple of minutes of the 3-1 friendly defeat at home to Iceland. Angus Gunn suffered an injury with his first involvement and after Rangers stopper Liam Kelly had pulled out of the warm up, Slicker was given the nod from the bench ahead of Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie. Ipswich keeper Slicker has played just NINE minute of football over the course of the season and it showed, as he sclaffed a clearance for Iceland's first goal, fumbled a corner that saw Lewis Ferguson put past him for the second and let Victor Palsson's header go straight through him for the third. With veteran Craig Gordon injured along with Tyencastle understudy Zander Clark, the Scotland boss isn't sure where he's going to find another one at this stage before flying to Liechtenstein for Monday's game. He'll try and find one to take alongside kid gloves Callan McKenna, but did admit he had sympathy for Slicker after a debut to forget. "It's difficult for Cieran. I feel for him," said Clarke. "He got thrown into a situation where he maybe wasn't quite ready for it. But Craig's injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark was injured. "I mentioned back in March that it was something I thought might come back to bite us. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match. "I don't know (about Gunn's injury). If he comes off in the first couple of minutes then I imagine he's not going to play the next game. For sure I'll try and call up another goalkeeper. I've had young Callan McKenna who's just turned 18-years of age, training with us and he'll travel. I'll see if I can find another one somewhere in Scotland that's not on holiday. "It was a disappointing night didn't get off to a great start , we lost our No2 goalie in the warm up and then we lost our No1 goalie after a couple of minutes. We then immediately compound that by conceding the first goal. That made it difficult. "We created some chances then got back in the game. But conceded another poor goal which makes it a difficult night."
