‘Russell Martin is the right man for Rangers job – forget Ancelotti’
Rangers are searching for the right manager to kick off the 49ers Enterprises era this summer with interim boss Barry Ferguson not set to land the role full-time.
It has been widely reported that Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti, 35, has been approached over the vacancy – but is not the only candidate on the shortlist at Ibrox.
Ex-Rangers loanee Russell Martin and former Bears boss Steven Gerrard have also been regularly mentioned as potential targets.
Martin, 39, has already racked up five years of managerial experience – while Ancelotti is yet to step out of his father’s shadow.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted Rangers need a “battle-hardened” boss and claimed Ancelotti would “run away” from the challenge.
Rangers told to appoint ‘battle-hardened’ Martin
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Martin’s experience makes him an ideal candidate.
The former Scotland international defender was sacked by Southampton in December after leading them to promotion in the 2023-24 campaign.
| Games | 252 |
| Wins | 101 |
| Draws | 56 |
| Losses | 95 |
| Goals (For / Against) | 382 / 378 |
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think they need a battle-hardened, experienced manager.
“The one name cropping up is Russell Martin. He was in place for a really hard season with Southampton, but he also got them promoted.
“He seems to be a bit more battle-hardened than someone like Ancelotti.
“I think you’ve got to have some experience at the top level to take this job.
“Ancelotti has only been an assistant in his father’s shadow, he’s been a bit of a nepo baby in that sense.
“I don’t think Rangers is a place you go and break into management. I think he’d probably run away quite quickly.
“I’d stick with Russell Martin as the name I’ve seen as being able to do the job.”
Rangers could accept Igamane offer
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed that Rangers could be forced to sell star forward Hamza Igamane in a bid to boost their transfer budget this summer.
The Record reported on 6 May that Rangers’ hopes of investing significantly in the summer transfer window could be severely restricted by Uefa’s financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Rangers’ new owners could decide to move several players on this summer in a bid to boost the club’s transfer budget, with Igamane likely to be their most valuable asset.
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