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Russell Martin has succeeded Barry Ferguson as head coach at Ibrox Russell Martin says Rangers are "at a disadvantage" in their team building because they play so early in Champions League qualifying - but the head coach expects to be "so pleased" with new signings anticipated "in the next week or two". The Scottish Premiership runners-up have bought centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez from Peterborough and midfielder Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth, from whom right-back Max Aarons has also been signed on loan. Midfielder Lyall Cameron's arrival from Dundee had been arranged before Martin's appointment this summer. The former Southampton manager told Rangers TV he is "so pleased" with the close-season additions and said: "The ones we think will be coming into the building in the next week or two, we'll be so pleased with them and we still need some help. "We also can't be in a rush to get ones we're not too sure about. When we do get them in, it will be down to a lot of very hard work, a lot of due diligence and we'll make sure they are the right ones. " Reuniting with Martin was 'main pull' for Rothwell Who has your Premiership club brought in & let go? - summer 2025 Rangers, who play Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, start their competitive campaign at home to Panathinaikos in just over two weeks time. "We're also at a disadvantage because we play so early in Europe. We are trying to work when everyone else is on holiday, " Martin said. The former Scotland and Rangers defender outlined his requirements for new arrivals. "People need to be desperate to play for this club and not just be an option and one of a few options, " Martin explained. "We have to be ready to win early, but we also need to be in a position to help the whole football club with players who can come here, develop whilst winning, and be good business. Every club has to look at that model. " Football ability would not be enough to convince Martin a player is right for Rangers. "Can you come here and add to us as a group in terms of your behaviour, the way you train, the way you work and who you are as a human being, your willingness to play in a way that we want to, which is not for everyone because it's not easy? " he added. "Also playing for this football club will not be for everyone. Character first and then talent after and, if we get both, we'll be really happy. " Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Rangers news notifications in the BBC Sport app Pant falls but India's lead over England beyond 400 Wimbledon: Follow third-round action British Grand Prix qualifying: Mc Laren facing challenge from Ferrari Robin Williams' life and career through ten crucial photographs Pink Floyd's David Gilmour shares his Desert Island Discs A purr-fect short history of cats on film The American War of Independence revisited, 250 years on 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Why Smith could become England's greatest keeper-batter England & Wales bid to survive 'toughest group of all' 'I tried to stay away - but boxing found me' Diogo Jota: A tribute. Video Diogo Jota: A tribute Tour de France 2025 - your stage-by-stage guide to cycling's greatest race Raducanu beaten by Sabalenka in gripping match - highlights. Video Raducanu beaten by Sabalenka in gripping match - highlights When England won the Euros - best pictures from an unforgettable summer 'A symbol of hope & inspiration - Jota was a Portuguese hero' Seven days and four room keys - the lucky loser in the last 16 The 12 content creators competing to be 'Last Pundit Standing' Video The 12 content creators competing to be 'Last Pundit Standing' Why have record number of seeded players lost at Wimbledon? Jota's final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby. Video Jota's final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby How is Arsenal's attacking refresh shaping up? Kookaburra conundrum - can county cricket have too many runs? Is it conceivable that Mercedes could drop Russell for Verstappen? Meet the only English manager at the Euros 'I can't hear it' - Wimbledon's first day of electronic calling Have we watched Messi's final game on global stage? Verstappen, Russell and Mercedes - what factors are at play? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
