Almost everyone connected with Rangers has had their say now on the club’s pursuit of a new manager, whether it be Barry Ferguson on a permanent deal or an outside hire.
Ross McCormack felt Barry Ferguson must get the job if he could take Rangers deep in the Europa League while claiming the scalp of Celtic.
In a week in which the Gers knocked out Fenerbahce and ended their five-year wait for a win at Parkhead, Ferguson has arguably ticked both of those boxes already.
Kris Boyd thinks Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes should be under consideration.
Gordon Dalziel would take Rafa Benitez ‘all day long’. Andy Halliday, meanwhile, believes Russell Martin may be the ideal candidate to end Rangers’ long-running issues against teams who defend deep and in numbers.
Andy Halliday reiterates admiration for Rangers linked Russell Martin
A former Rangers centre-back in his playing days, ex-Scotland international Martin is on the lookout for a new challenge after leaving Southampton in December.
The Saints may still be on track to become officially the worst Premier League side ever – they are two shy of Derby County’s record-low points tally of 11 with nine games remaining – but Martin deserves much credit for taking them back to the big time in the first place.
His Southampton side averaged the most possession in England’s second tier [65 per cent] but also produced the second-most shots per game [15.2] and the third most goals [87].
“I have always really liked watching Russell Martin’s teams,” Halliday reiterates. “I think Rangers’ issue has been – even since I was there [between 2015 and 2020] – breaking down low blocks.”
Then again, a change in coach alone cannot solve such a long-standing problem.
Maurice Ross, the former right-back who won two Premiership titles with Rangers in 2003 and 2005, feels that appointing a coach with Martin’s iron-clad principles would only reap rewards if coupled with a recruitment drive focusing on players who suit his system.
Ross highlights how Celtic, across Glasgow, have constructed a squad ideal for Brendan Rodgers’ similarly patient, possession-heavy approach.
Rangers sent Martin warning with former Southampton boss in contention
“You have got to now recruit for players who can take [the ball] in tight areas, because that is what you are coming up against,” adds Ross, who currently works as an assistant manager at Fleetwood Town.
“Look at Celtic’s model. Quick, small, even [Cameron] Carter-Vickers is not that big. They’ve not got big units. But they are all mobile. Quick.
“So I think Rangers need to recruit for people who can break down that low block at Ibrox. Especially at Ibrox where, if you’re not winning after 20 minutes, it starts to become a bit of a scary place.”
It was put to Ross that Rangers already have a handful of players capable of picking the lock. Mohamed Diomande, Hamza Igamane and Vaclav Cerny.
That number will drop by a third, however, with Cerny expected to leave Rangers upon the expiry of his loan deal from Wolfsburg. Either way, Ross feels that an overhaul of the playing staff may be required if Martin is chosen as the man to go head-to-head with Rodgers next season and beyond.
“You need another four of [those lock-picking players]. If one gets injured…” Ross points out. “You’ve got to have 16 starters. Absolute starters. At the minute, you’ve got a strong starting XI and you look at the bench and it’s a bit weak.
I think Rangers will be looking to recruit with new investors, new owners. Throw a bit of money behind that.”
