(Credit: talkSPORT)

Joe Elvin

Fri 6 June 2025 19:10, UK

Rangers are preparing themselves for a summer of transition now that they’ve confirmed Russell Martin as their new manager.

Martin was unveiled as the new boss at Ibrox on Thursday (5 June), and he’ll likely be given a huge transfer warchest to build a squad to compete for the Scottish Premier League next year.

The former Southampton boss was not everyone’s first choice for the position, but he’ll now be given the opportunity to show what he can do in the Rangers hotseat.

Warnock’s comments on Rangers confuse talkSPORT host Alan Brazil

Neil Warnock was the latest to share his opinion on Martin’s appointment when he was interviewed on the talkSPORT Breakfast show (6 June).

The former Middlesbrough boss was asked his opinions on Boro sacking Michael Carrick and the fortunes of Sheffield United, whom he also managed.

However, he then decided to share his thoughts on Rangers and Russell Martin without any prompt by host and Celtic fan Alan Brazil.

And his remarks left Brazil almost dumbfounded.

“I keep looking at your lads and all. I think Russell is a good appointment up there at Rangers,” Warnock said.

A confused Brazil replied: “What do you mean, my lads?”

Warnock went on to swiftly change the subject, and the awkward mistake wasn’t mentioned again.

Of course, Warnock has a reputation as somewhat of a joker and he could have made the comment to wind up the talkSPORT host.

Martin won’t be given much time to get things right at Rangers

Rangers may be preparing a multi-year plan to back Russell Martin, but in reality, he will be expected to quickly move the club forwards.

A lot of Rangers fans are less than thrilled with Martin’s appointment. Many would have preferred Rangers to have appointed Davide Ancelotti.

As such, the pressure to sack Martin could be unbearable if his team doesn’t show a notable improvement next season.

This is especially true given that the manager looks set to be handed a £20million warchest to improve the Ibrox squad.

Is it fair to expect drastic improvements so quickly? Perhaps not. But that is the nature of modern football. There is no patience among fans or owners these days.

Martin’s drab results at Southampton last season will have done him no favours, and he’ll have some work to do to get the whole fanbase on his side.

With that said, beating Celtic in his first Old Firm derby will earn him a lot of goodwill.