Russell Martin is eager to begin his journey with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. After taking a break following his time at Southampton, Martin signed a three-year contract this summer to become the head coach at Rangers. His first league match will be against Motherwell on Saturday. The 39-year-old has already made a positive impact by defeating Panathinaikos 3-1 over two legs, bringing Rangers closer to the Champions League main draw.
Rangers have been active in strengthening their squad, with Mikey Moore joining on loan from Tottenham as their eighth signing. Martin is enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead Rangers to a league title, which he sees as a key measure of success for his debut season. "To get through such a tough draw [against Panathinaikos], over two legs, was really pleasing," Martin told Sky Sports News. "We did some really good stuff in it, some stuff we really need to improve on."

The club's transfer strategy has been robust, aiming to bolster the team for the challenges ahead. Martin acknowledges that while they have achieved much, there is still room for improvement. He finds excitement in navigating these changes and appreciates how well both staff and players are adapting. "There's been so much change and we're navigating a lot of change at this football club," he noted.
Managing these transitions is challenging, but Martin is focused on winning while building and developing the team. The pre-season period has been hectic with preparations for significant matches. Now, all attention shifts to starting strong in the league, as this will be crucial for judging the season's success.
Martin emphasises that despite having only five weeks of preparation filled with intense activities, they must now concentrate entirely on performing well in the league opener against Motherwell. This focus is essential because the team's performance will ultimately define their season's achievements.
The upcoming season presents both challenges and opportunities for Martin and his squad. With new players integrated into the team and strategic planning underway, they aim to make a strong impression in the Scottish Premiership under Martin's leadership.