• Rangers appoint Russell Martin as head coach on a three-year contract.
• Martin returns after a challenging stint at Southampton, where he was sacked in December.
• The club aims to improve on their recent domestic performances, having finished second to Celtic last season.
• Martin emphasizes the importance of winning matches and trophies for the fans.

Rangers have appointed former Southampton manager Russell Martin as head coach, marking the beginning of a new era for the Scottish Premiership club. Martin has signed a three-year contract after the club was recently acquired by a US-based consortium, which includes the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers. This transition in management comes after a season where Rangers finished without silverware and was runners-up to Celtic for the fourth consecutive year, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Martin, a former player for Scotland and Rangers, returns to manage for the first time since being dismissed by Southampton in December, after a tumultuous campaign where his team was relegated with seven matches still left in the season. He had initially received praise for guiding Southampton to promotion from the Championship. His management style, however, came under scrutiny during their Premier League stint, leading to his exit, as indicated by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

In his first statement as Rangers head coach, Martin expressed his determination to bring success back to the club, emphasizing the need to "win matches, win trophies, and give Rangers fans a team they can be proud of." He aims to instill a more aggressive and brave playing style to elevate Rangers' performance on the field, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Looking forward, Rangers will enter Champions League qualifying rounds in the upcoming season and aim to improve their standings after a difficult year. Martin’s experience and ambitions may be critical in this journey as Rangers hope to reclaim their former glory in Scottish football, as noted by BBC and Reuters.