17 hours Ago By David Oliver
RUSSELL MARTIN has been out of work since he was sacked from Southampton on December 16. But he's been linked with a return to old club Rangers ever since Philippe Clement 's dismissal last month. 4 SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Russell Martin, was sacked from Southampton in December Credit: Getty 4 The Scotland international was linked with Philippe Clement's job as soon as the Belgian was bombed out at Ibrox Credit: PA 4 The defender played on loan from Norwich City in 2018 Credit: PA:Press Association The Belgian was axed a fortnight ago after a home league defeat to St Mirren and a shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen 's Park .
Club legend Barry Ferguson was placed in interim charge alongside a Gers old-boys regime including Billy Dodds, Allan McGregor and Neil McCann . However a permanent boss has still to be appointed - with plenty of names touted. Former boss Steven Gerrard , ex-defender Kevin Muscat and one-time boss option Frank Lampard have all been linked.
Read More Rangers stories SAFE PAIR OF HANDS Inside the secret GOALIE past of Rangers takeover tycoon Andrew Cavenagh ALLOT OF SHARES Fresh Rangers takeover twist revealed in latest Companies House documents But we told you that Scotland international Martin was one of the first names to emerge from the aftermath of Clement's catastrophic climax in charge. The English-born defender picked up 29 caps playing in front of the Tartan Army and was asked outright if he'd be heading back to Scotland for his next job . After a night of analysis of Newcastle and West Ham alongside pundit Jamie Redknapp and Sky Sports host Dave Jones, attention turned on the 39-year-old.
But he sidestepped the direct question and instead listed where he WOULDN'T work - but that DIDN'T include Ibrox. Most read in Football ALLOT OF SHARES Fresh Rangers takeover twist revealed in latest Companies House documents SAFE PAIR OF HANDS Inside the secret GOALIE past of Rangers takeover tycoon Andrew Cavenagh FOOTBALL FRIENDS Meet the California family who can't wait for Rangers and 49ers takeover CRYSTAL CLEARED Forgotten Ger stars in B team win over Crystal Palace - but there's a catch Jones said: "So where will we see you next Russell? I mean are you thinking that you will get another shot in the Premier League next or is it going to be the Championship ? "Are you gonna have to go abroad? Turkish Rangers fan with kids called Red, White and Blue "Scotland perhaps? There's been links to Rangers ." But Martin dodged the return talk and replied: "I think I'm realistic and I don't think I get another Premier League chance right now.
" Jones interrupted: "Why not?" Martin went on: "I think like most managers that come from the Championship is like they get there and are not quite good enough for the Premier League. "Which is maybe unfair on the managers that get there at times because you're there with a squad that has been so successful a year before but it is not maybe not quite ready for the Premier League. "But I think there's only two managers have been taken out the Championship for a long time - Nathan Jones and Graham Potter - and the others have to get there and try and stay there and then be deemed a success.
"So I really don't know. "I'm really open to working abroad in England again, I want to work back in the Premier League after having a taste of it. 4 Russell Martin was quizzed on his future on Sky "I hope I will get back there and believe I can so we'll.
we'll just have to wait and see." Read more on the Scottish Sun AT WHAT COIST? Rangers icon Ally McCoist blasted by locals over plans to build plush pads SHOP TO IT The Range set to open huge new home and garden store in Scots retail park After we broke the news of Philippe Clement's sacking we exclusively told how Martin was immediately regarded as a 'serious contender' by influential boardroom figures at Ibrox. Martin is regarded as a 'deep thinker ' and has followed Buddhism , tried cryotherapy and eats a strict vegan diet .
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