‘Key Southampton figure makes Russell Martin claim following Rangers move’
Southampton owner Dragan Solak has made a surprising claim about Russell Martin after the former Saints boss joined Rangers.
Martin guided Southampton to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship playoff final in 2023.
However, the former Scotland international subsequently struggled to help the Saints adjust to the demands of the top flight and was sacked last December.
The Hampshire club were eventually relegated, but Martin’s Premier League exploits did not put off Rangers, who have appointed him as the man they hope to close the gap between themselves and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Southampton owner Solak claims VAR was responsible for Martin sacking
Martin was replaced by Ivan Juric, who failed to perform at St Mary’s Stadium, as Southampton were relegated back to the Championship after managing just two Premier League wins.
But looking back at Martin’s tenure in charge of the Saints, Solak told BBC Radio Solent: “I really believe he was absolutely, fundamentally behind his idea of football, and that is not easy in an environment like the Premier League that is so competitive.
“But to give him credit we were quite unlucky, I don’t even know how to characterise some of the VAR decisions that we had, but in my opinion VAR took eight points off Russell’s team.
“If he had those eight points more in December, I think he would probably manage the team through the whole season.
“I’m not saying we would stay in the league, but we would have (had) a much more competitive run and Russell would definitely still be leading the team.”
Martin must oversee a strong transfer window at Rangers
Thanks to the role he played in Southampton’s relegation last term, there are doubts among Rangers fans regarding whether Martin is the right man to restore former glories at Ibrox.
| Scottish Premiership table 2024/25 (Top two) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1 Celtic | 38 | 86 | 92 |
| 2 Rangers | 38 | 39 | 75 |
After the Bears endured a woeful domestic season last campaign, finishing 17 points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, as well as failing to win either cup competition, the ex-Saints boss must establish a rich vein of form in the early proceedings of next season.
To help establish his possession football philosophy at Ibrox, Martin must also recruit well this summer, as he looks to shape a squad that can perform in his system.
As the former Southampton boss looks to oversee a strong transfer window, Rangers want to sign Kwame Poku from Peterborough, after the winger scored 12 goals and produced 10 assists for the League One club last season.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been backed to sign Conor Coady in an Ibrox News exclusive.