'I have to win' - watch new Rangers head coach Martin's unveiling

BBC News

05-06-2025

Update:
Date: 11:39 BST
Title: Improvements on and off the pitch
Content: What is success for Russell Martin?
"It's to win trophies," he said. "It's to build a culture that we are proud of and people can feel when they come into the building. An environment of hard work, of honestly and of openness.
"To see a team that doesn't look different every week, that is always trying to improve and develop in our own way, rather than focusing on the opposition too much. We're going to do it our way and we're all going to be on the same page.
"We have to improve the team on the pitch and improve the environment off the pitch."
Update:
Date: 11:36 BST
Title: Post
Content: What a photo this is.
Update:
Date: 11:33 BST
Title: 'I know the expectation'
Content: On the level of expectation on him, Russell Martin said: "I've managed three clubs, all with the same concept of the game - to be the aggressor with the ball and without it.
"They all played different shapes and different people making up different positions.
"We are here to win and we will do that in the best way we possibly can.
"That is what Rangers fans expect, to be really aggressive, really intense, really passionate, really hard-working first and foremost.
"I know the expectation here is to win. We want to do that in a way that's aligned with how we want to feel about the team and how Rangers fans want to feel about their team."
Update:
Date: 11:31 BST
Title: 'Don't judge me as a player'
Content: "I played here for a very short period," said Russell Martin.
"When I look back on my playing career, the one thing that hurt me a lot was that it didn't go well here.
"I wasn't quite in the right place physically to do as well as I possibly could. I'm desperate to show a different version of myself.
"It's really exciting, the whole thing. I was honest from the outset that this was my first choice and I'm delighted I'm now here."
Update:
Date: 11:30 BST
Title: Martin 'grateful & excited' for Rangers challenge
Content: This video can not be played
New head coach Martin relishing Rangers task
Update:
Date: 11:28 BST
Title: 'Taking time to reflect and review'
Content: "There were a few opportunities since I left Southampton, but I wanted to take time to reflect and review what we've learned as a coaching staff and what I've learned as a leader and a coach.
"That time was really important.
"When this one was first suggested, this was the one I really wanted. One because of the expectation and the size of it, what it means to so many people. The opportunity to come here and experience something different to anything else in football."
Kevin Thelwell, Russell Martin and Patrick Stewart in the Blue Room at Ibrox this morning
Update:
Date: 11:25 BST
Title: 'A clear football style'
Content: Here's some more from Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart.
"I'm really delighted to br introducing Russell to you as the new head coach of Rangers.
"Russell's appointment is the culmination of a number of steps we've been working on since I joined Rangers.
"We've been identifying a clear football style and identity and in Russell, we've got a head coach that aligns with that style and identity.
"We're looking for a head coach who will improve our culture, develop our squad and ultimately win matches. Russell has been the standout candidate.
"Russell is no stranger to our club. We expect success and Russell knows that."
Update:
Date: 11:23 BST
Title: 'It's an incredible feeling'
Content: Russell Martin tells the room: "It's an incredible feeling. I'm really grateful to the board, to Patrick, to Kevin, for their faith in me.
"It's been a tough and rigorous process and it's taken some time, but that's what you expect when you want to be manager of a club of this stature, size and expectation.
"I'm desperate to get started and I'm excited about what's to come."
Update:
Date: 11:22 BST
Title: Sip of water, chaps?
Content: Kheredine IdessaneBBC Scotland at Ibrox
Ever the gentleman, Russell Martin's first act is to pour some water for Kevin Thelwell, his new sporting director, before taking a sip himself.
Update:
Date: 11:21 BST
Title: Post
Content: "This is the one I really wanted" Russell Martin tells the room, while also mentioning other opportunities he had.
He is talking about the hurt he had of not bringing his best when he was at Ibrox as a player.
Update:
Date: 11:20 BST
Title: Post
Content: We're now on to a brief speech from Kevin Thelwell, the club's new sporting director.
But now we're on to the main man. Standby...
Update:
Date: 11:19 BST
Title: Post
Content: "Improve culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches."
That's what Patrick Stewart has just told the room.
"We expect success and Russell knows that."
No pressure, Russell.
Update:
Date: 11:17 BST
Title: Post
Content: Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart is kicking things off first.
"Russell's appointment is a culmination of a series of steps" he tells the room.
Update:
Date: 11:16 BST
Title: Post
Content: Here he comes...
Update:
Date: 11:15 BST
Title: Post
Content: The journalists are circling with their dictaphones, we can't be far away now.
Either that or the biscuit platter has now just been levelled.
Update:
Date: 11:10 BST
Title: Standing room only
Content: Kheredine IdessaneBBC Scotland at Ibrox
The press conference room is full. Not a spare seat to be had. It's standing room only for the photographers to my right, who - to mix my sporting metaphors - are lined up like the slips in a cricket team to the side of the wicketkeeper. Four slips and a gully, I'd say. Who's silly mid-off? Answers on a postcard. We're expecting Russell Martin to rock up at 11.15am sharp. Until then, talk among yourselves.
Update:
Date: 11:09 BST
Title: Post
Content: We're now getting live pictures from the press room in Ibrox as we get ready for Russell Martin's arrival. Don't adjust your speakers, we've just turned it down so you can't hear the assembled Scottish press pack discuss what they had for their breakfast.
Update:
Date: 11:06 BST
Title: 'Standout candidate'
Content: Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who led the head coach search along with Thelwell, said Martin was the "standout candidate".
The Ibrox club spoke to former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Feyenoord manager Brian Priske, while former manager Gerrard and ex-Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli were among those also linked with the post.
"Our criteria were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches," Stewart said.
"This appointment is about building a winning team and a strong culture. He is no stranger to our club, we expect success and Russell knows that. We are excited for his leadership."
Update:
Date: 11:00 BST
Title: Chatter among the journos
Content: Kheredine IdessaneBBC Scotland at Ibrox
There's plenty of chatter among the assembled press and media pack as we await Russell Martin's arrival. There have been various figures linked with the Rangers job. We finally have the opportunity to question the Ibrox side's chosen candidate. Cameras, phones and dictaphones at the ready.
It's up to the Blue Room here at Ibrox for Martin and his new employers. Cameras and photographers only. We journalists are down in the press conference room awaiting the new head coach for his first grilling.
The Ibrox Blue room will look a bit busier today...
Update:
Date: 10:59 BST
Title: 'A brilliant appointment'
Content: Your views on Martin's Rangers appointment
Graeme: This is a brilliant appointment. A studious coach
who has the ability to man manage and also coach technically very well without
overly complicating the game. He earns the respect of his players and I feel he
will bring our great club the success we have yearned for these past few years.
AJ: Was an appointment no-one saw coming as so many eyes
were focused on whether the takeover was going to happen or not. Thankfully, there's a structure at Rangers from the top. Unsure what the manager/head coach
funds will be made available for new players, as well as players leaving. Glad
it's all done before pre-season. Just got to give him time as he will have to
hit the ground running in the league and challenge for the league. Would say
that Rangers have to focus more on the Scottish Cup and League Cup as well, and
get a European run if possible, but league would be the main objective for the
club and manager.
Brian: A man with not a great track record. Played for
Rangers for a short period in 2008 then gone, past managerial experience with
clubs not outstanding, now back with Rangers as manager, this is not filling me
with confidence for our way forward. But l hope he proves me wrong along with
thousands more.
Michael: Barry Ferguson must be gutted. He could probably
have understood an experienced big name with undoubted history.