Angus Gunn: Russell Martin appointment would be a really good thing for Rangers

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn believes Russell Martin has what it takes to be a success at Rangers, if he is announced as the Ibrox club’s new head coach.

Former MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton boss Martin, along with Italian Davide Ancelotti, has been under serious consideration for the role, and Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has promised a decision in the coming days.

Gunn played alongside Martin briefly at Norwich City and believes he would be a shrewd appointment who is well-equipped for the challenge.

“Obviously, watching what he’s done at Southampton, I thought he’d done incredibly well there and probably was unfortunate to lose his job there because it’s always difficult for teams coming up from the Championship to even compete with some of the Premier League teams,” Gunn said.

“With the way he wants to play and his philosophy, I really hope whatever he goes on to do in his career is successful.

“Obviously he had a spell at Rangers, so he kind of knows the club a little bit. I think it would be a really good thing for Rangers.”

Martin was still a player with the Canaries when Gunn shared a dressing room with him, though they only had a short spell as teammates before the defender moved to Rangers on loan.

In their time together, the Scotland goalkeeper said he had first-hand experience of Martin’s leadership skills.

“There were a few other players in that dressing room – Steven Naismith was there as well – and you can tell on the pitch when you’re playing with players,” he said. “They kind of start coaching whilst they’re still playing, if you like, sort of organising on the pitch.

“Russell was one of them, but it wasn’t just on the pitch, it was off the pitch as well, where he had close relationships with everyone.

“Even though he wasn’t a regular playing in the team, he was always on hand and always upbeat and a good person to go to.

“Obviously, I only worked with him as a player at Norwich but he’s a very intellectual guy. I went in there as a young goalkeeper and he helped me massively, even though he wasn’t in the team every week and playing regularly.

“He was the captain of the club and he had good relationships with everyone in the dressing room.”