Russell Martin's tenure as Rangers boss is set to begin with an away fixture against Motherwell on Saturday, August 2nd, marking his first Scottish Premiership game in charge. The match, to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, will provide an early test for the former Southampton manager as he embarks on his three-year deal with the Ibrox club. The Light Blues will then take to Ibrox for Martin's first home game the following weekend against Dundee on Saturday, August 9th.
The release of the Scottish Premiership fixtures for the 2025/26 season has immediately thrown the spotlight onto the crucial dates for Rangers fans. The first Old Firm derby of the season has been confirmed for Sunday, August 31st, at Ibrox. This highly anticipated clash against Celtic will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and will be Martin's first taste of the intense rivalry. The subsequent Old Firm matches are scheduled for Saturday, January 3rd, at Celtic Park, and Saturday, February 28th, back at Ibrox, promising a thrilling series of encounters throughout the season.
Martin's appointment comes after a recent takeover of Rangers by a US-based consortium. Tasked with restoring the club to the top of Scottish football, Martin faces a significant challenge in closing the gap on Celtic, who finished ahead of Rangers last season. The new manager is known for his possession-based, attacking style of football.
His managerial career began at MK Dons, where he helped stabilize the club in League One. He then moved to Swansea City and later Southampton, guiding the latter to promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs before his departure in December 2024. Despite his relatively young age for a manager, Martin has quickly made a name for himself in British football.
While some fans initially expressed reservations about Martin's appointment, many are now throwing their support behind the new boss. The club's new ownership and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, believe that Martin's clear footballing philosophy and coaching abilities are the right fit for Rangers. It is expected that Martin will focus primarily on coaching and developing the team, with other staff members handling transfers and recruitment.
