Russell Martin has disclosed that he recently turned down multiple managerial opportunities as he prepares to take the reins at Rangers.

The 39-year-old was dismissed by Southampton in December and has remained out of work since. However, he is now poised to take charge at Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast last month, Martin shared insights into how he has spent his time since leaving the Saints and the roles he has declined.

He said:
"I've been doing lots of watching football and analysing our work, putting things together and preparing for whatever comes next.

"I turned down a few jobs over the last few months – one or two abroad and a couple here – simply because they didn’t feel right, and I wasn’t quite ready to return. Honestly, I was a bit hurt by being sacked for the first time."

Martin is expected to be named the permanent successor to Philippe Clement at Rangers. The Belgian manager was relieved of his duties at the end of February, with club legend Barry Ferguson taking interim charge for the remainder of the campaign.

Ferguson guided the team to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and oversaw a notable victory over Celtic at Parkhead. Despite these achievements, it was confirmed at the season’s end that he would not be offered the position on a permanent basis.

Martin, a former Scotland international, previously had a short spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, making 17 appearances for the club.