Russell martin has three clear rangers transfer targets before becoming boss

THE FORMER SOUTHAMPTON BOSS HAS SOME CLEAR FAVOURITES THAT FIT HIS STYLE OF PLAY WITH MARTIN LEADING THE RACE TO BECOME IBROX BOSS 13:48, 03 Jun 2025Updated 14:07, 03 Jun 2025 Rangers look

set to appoint Russell Martin as their new boss – and a clear transfer strategy is already taking shape. The revolution at Ibrox is already under way after US tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and

49ers Enterprises officially took over the Scottish Premiership giants. And now former Southampton boss Martin is inching closer to becoming manager ahead of Davide Ancelotti. With the new

era quickly taking shape, hype is building around what could be achieved with a busy summer ahead. Former Rangers defender Martin could bring his own transfer dossier to the new owners -

with the club already said to be among the teams chasing a deal for free agent Jamie Vardy this summer. Article continues below Swansea centre-back Harry Darling is also out of contract this

summer – and has already been signed twice by Martin at MK Dons and then for the Welsh side. The 25-year-old has a contract offer on the table from Swansea but is yet to put pen to paper

with reports in Wales suggesting he is set to walk away from the club. That leaves the door open to Darling to reunite with a boss he "loved" in the Scottish Premiership. Speaking

after his £1million move to Swansea in 2022, Darling said: “I was with (Martin) at my last club and we've stayed in contact. I love working with him. “I know the way the manager plays

so it was just a case of getting the deal over the line. I just can't wait to get started. “Although I'm a ball playing centre-back, my first job is to keep clean sheets, defend

well and do that for the team. If I can do that a bit first, then goals are just added extras.” While Rangers will need reinforcements at centre-back this summer with Leon Balogun leaving

the club at the end of his deal alongside loanees Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafa Fernandes, more firepower will also be essential if Martin wants to dethrone Celtic. Reports south of the

border have suggested that Martin has been keen to reunite with Southampton striker Cameron Archer at his next club. The England youth international - who was previously on Rangers'

radar back in 2022 - only made the move to St Mary's last summer in a £15million move from Aston Villa. However, after Martin was shown the door in the midst of the relegation scrap,

Archer failed to find regular game time and came close to a loan exit for Leeds United in January. After his arrival on the south coast, Archer admitted that the style of play from the boss

was a huge factor in leaving Villa Park for the club. He said: "I'm really excited to be here. I had a good chat with the gaffer. Obviously, he told me everything I needed to hear.

“That was one of the main reasons why I'm here, his playing style, his coaching and trying to improve me as a player." The gaffer also made it clear that he was a huge admirer,

stating: “Cameron is a really exciting young talent with huge potential to improve. He’s a constant threat with his pace and ability to score goals." A loan move away from the club

could be on the cards again - with south coast outlet the Daily Echo reporting a major clearout is on the cards following their Premier League relegation. Saints left-back Ryan Manning is

another favourite of Martin's - having played under his for Swansea then Southampton - making far more than 100 appearances playing under the expected Ibrox boss. The Ireland

international faces an uncertain future despite being a regular during the doomed Premier League campaign last term. After signing with Southampton, Manning branded his relationship with

Martin "the perfect fit". He said: "With the gaffer coming here, knowing his style of football and how he wants his team to play, it felt like a perfect fit for me where the

club and the manager lined up." Article continues below _TUNE IN TO HOTLINE LIVE EVERY SUNDAY TO THURSDAY AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BIGGEST ISSUES IN SCOTTISH FOOTBALL AND LISTEN TO

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