Russell Martin is Rangers manager LIVE as former Southampton and Swansea boss kicks off new Ibrox era

Finally, Rangers have a new permanent manager and it's Russell Martin.

After a largely forgettable loan spell at Ibrox a decade ago, Martin is back in Glasgow in the top job this time and is tasked with getting the club closer to a dominant Celtic team.

The former MK Dons, Southampton and Swansea manager will work alongside new sporting director Kevin Thelwell to build his Gers squad over the summer.

And with new owners 49ers Enterprises pumping £20million in, there will be money to spend, but it must be spent wisely.

There are Champions League qualifiers to negotiate and there can be no let up in the league after seeing Brendan Rodgers' men streak away from them season after season for the last five years.

Regaining the title may be a stretch in Martin's first season, but he'll be expected to put up a good fight and lift at least one of the two domestic cups on offer.

No pressure then.

Record Sport will have all the latest from a dn about the new man right here on the LIVE blog .

Russell Martin’s stint as a Rangers player won’t live long in the memory.

But at least the former Ibrox defender will have the chance to make up for it when he’s named as the club’s new gaffer.

The 39-year-old looks certain to be announced as Philippe Clement’s replacement in the coming days.

And when he takes his seat in the famous Blue Room at the top of the marble staircase, it will be a million miles away from his ill-fated spell as a Gers player.

Martin endured a six-month loan spell in Glasgow at one of the club’s lowest ebbs.

Rangers were miles off Celtic with Graeme Murty in charge before Jimmy Nicholl stepped in before the end of a disastrous campaign.

Martin’s last game in a blue shirt was on 13 May, 2018 at Easter Road