What Can Rangers Fans Expect from the Appointment of Russell Martin? | OneFootball

Now that Russell Martin has been confirmed as the new Rangers boss, it’s got everyone talking and wondering how he’ll get on. Some are cautiously curious, others flat-out sceptical. He wasn’t the obvious choice, and in a job like this, that’s never a quiet detail. Rangers need results, steel, and a mentality built for silverware. Martin, known for possession football and calm touchline manner, has a challenge ahead: to win over a demanding support and deliver where it matters most on the pitch and in the trophy cabinet.

A new manager always shifts expectations, not just inside the club but also among those following the team from different angles, including bettors. Among popular punting platforms like non GamStop sports betting sites, Martin was the 5/4 favourite to get the job. That’s saying something seeing as the betting pool once even included the likes of Carlo Ancelotti for a brief period.

Betting sites like these go further though and also reflect confidence levels from outside the mainstream, giving a slightly different read on how the wider football world sees Rangers’ chances under Martin. As Martin’s tenure gets on, it won’t just be about betting but a window into how the appointment is being read elsewhere.

That added layer of outside perspective is something supporters might not always notice, but it speaks volumes. When odds shift or markets open up in different ways, it’s often tied to how confident or cautious those on the outside are. In Martin’s case, the split is clear: some see a risk, others see potential. What he does in his first ten games could set the tone for everything else.

Martin’s reputation is built on structure. He wants his teams to control games, not chase them. That sounds promising on paper, but Ibrox is no place for slow starts or sideways passes that lead nowhere. If he’s bringing the same slow-build style he used at Swansea and Southampton, he’ll need results to back it up fast. Rangers fans expect fight, directness when needed, and an ability to break teams down with intent, not just possession.

There’s talk he’ll promote from within. That might be one of his biggest assets. Previous managers have been cautious with younger players, but Martin’s history suggests he’ll give chances to those who earn them in training, not just the ones with the longest CVs. Landing top transfer targets could breathe new life into the squad and finally shift the deadwood that has weighed the team down over recent seasons.

He’s also not walking into a blank canvas. This is a squad with expectations, bruises, and a few question marks. He’ll need to make decisions fast on who stays, who goes, and who he builds around. There’s little room for sentiment. He’ll need to identify leaders quickly, especially with a dressing room that’s seen its fair share of change.

If he handles the pressure, matches style with substance, and delivers on the pitch, Martin could surprise a few people. But at Rangers, there are no soft landings. He either gets it right or he’s just another name on the list.