The Celtic boss gets ready to mount another Ibrox head on his mantlepiece, as Russell Martin appears ready to step into the line of fire…
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
A “Breaking News” report has just been released in the Record. It states that Russell Martin has accepted the job as manager at Ibrox.
I released an article on Saturday stating that Martin was their only remaining option as Deportivo la Coruna declared their interest in Davide Ancelotti.
And it looks like that’s just how it’s panned out.
Since the media have decided to run with the story, it’ll more than likely happen.
From a Celtic perspective, is this an appointment that could trouble us?
Well, if we were to look at it entirely from an experience perspective, there is no competition between Martin and Brendan Rodgers.
If you were to take Rodgers’ experience in the Scottish game alone, there is no competition.
Rodgers has seen it all and done it all in Scotland.
And that’s the benchmark Russell Martin will be measured against, if, as reported he takes the job.
The fact that Fabrizio Romano has also reported his imminent appointment makes it all the more likely that he has the job.
🚨🔵 Rangers are closing in on the appointment of Russell Martin as new head coach.
Former Southampton manager has already accepted the project, ready for new chapter. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/WAKp4hSBfk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2025
Martin hasn’t exactly had a stellar career as a manager.
The majority of his experience comes from the lower leagues in English football.
He began his managerial career at MK Dons, ironically replacing our football Doctor, Paul Tisdale.
Similar to Brendan Rodgers, he implemented a possesion-based style of football.
And in doing so, recorded a British record after his side scored on the back of a 56-pass move.
His style had mixed results, with MK Dons finishing 13th in the 2020/21 season.
Swansea then declared their interest in Martin, where he spent two seasons, finishing 15th and 10th respectively in both seasons.
In June of 2023, as Brendan Rodgers was returning to Celtic, Russell Martin was appointed manager of Southampton.
He guided to them to the EPL in his first season, off the back of a 25 game unbeaten run, which got them into the play-offs.
Ironically again, in the 2024 Championship play off final, he beat his prospective employer’s Leeds United side to gain promotion to the EPL.
After a disastrous start to life in the EPL, recording only one win in 16 attempts, Martin was sacked as manager in December 2024.
This is the manager they have chosen to lead the revolution at Ibrox.
This is the bling appointment to start it all off.
Martin will be surrounded by more real Raynjurz men once he is appointed, with Kevin Thomson and Steven Davis to be part of his managerial team.
Martin will be expected to deliver the treble in his first season at Ibrox, as this is how the fanbase expect the U.S. led revolution to start.
He’ll be handed to £20 million to rebuild a team that’s on the flat if it’s arse at the moment.
However, his employers may just want him to be a yes man, and to just do what he’s told.
They may even give him more than 9 months to prove himself.
Which will most likely result in much weeping and gnashing of teeth from the klanbase.
After all, it’s time to put Timmy back in his place, isn’t it?
Effectively, Martin will be expected to perform miracles by the klanbase.
The task given to him will be to return his new side to “the top of the Scottish game”.
Even though they’ve never been at the top of the Scottish game in their short 14 year history.
A tall order indeed.
I’d wish him all the luck in the world, because he’ll need it.
But for obvious reasons, I can’t.
Will Brendan Rodgers be having sleepless nights once this appointment has been announced?
I sincerely doubt it.
In fact I’m sure he is getting the next mount ready to add another Ibrox manager’s head to his collection.
I don’t think your average bear will be wetting themselves with excitement when it comes to this appointment either.
The U.S. revolution begins with the excitement levels of a wet fart.
I mean, what did they expect?
Carlo Ancelotti’s son?
20 million for the team rebuild!!!
In their statement the new owners said 20 million invested in the club.
I’m not sure all of it will go on the team unless this includes sales.
Either way it won’t be enough if we do our jobs properly.
Fabrizio Romano is an Italian football journalist presumably based in that country ..or another in Europe , thousands of miles away ! Yet he has given us the ‘ breaking news ‘ from Glasgow where the tribute act have decided who it’s newest coach will be… allegedly ! How come a foreign scoop gets the ‘ exclusive ‘ ahead of all SMSM scoops who are all within walking distance from the old crumbling stadium ,yet have to rely on other people’s work and thus , reliant on second hand news ? You would have thought that the local ‘ yes men and women ‘ hacks would have gotten first dibs , yet were ignored by theRangers decision makers ? That’s a good old proper ‘ slap in the face ‘ for the perceived quality of Scottish tabloid and media scooping isn’t it ? Or should I say ‘ inequality ‘ of the Scottish sport scoops ?
Turd polishing starts
Daily Record headline tomorrow something like this ..
‘ Rangers fans getting giddy at the thought of Lucy Pinder taking a seat at Ibrox ‘
‘Healthcare Takeover Kingpins San Fransevco 69ers Smitten By Russell Martin Love-In With Fan Favourite Davis To Follow Through.’
You think I’m joking but here’s the latest from the Record and their weirdly insidious bromance headlines
‘ Ally McCoist destroys Ange sack rumours as Rangers hero rekindles love affair with Tottenham reality check.’
The silly season is well and truly upon us,Eric. Speculation,rumour,if,buts and maybes. My two bobsworth: well,I’m with the great Govan philosopher,one Rab.C.Nesbit…to quote the great man: “it’s aw pish”.
That mob south of the Clyde can live in the dark dingy shadows of their once so called ‘great institution’ and bark all day and night for all i care. We,on the other hand,should simply enjoy being under the shade of Paradise,and ready ourselves for any challenge/threat that may or may not materialise from any direction.
Now I’m going for a snooze at the front of the bus….somebody give me a nudge when the action starts again. 🫡⚽️