RUSSELL Martin believes his Rangers squad is refreshed, refocused and ready ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.
Gers are back in domestic action following the international break as they host Derek McInnes’ side at Ibrox, and with the transfer window now closed and the squad settled, Martin says they have had a positive week on the training pitch after a busy period.
Speaking to the media at this morning’s pre-match press conference, he said: “It has been good, the window is shut now, and it has been positive to see so many of the lads go away and do well for their countries. We’ve also had an important training time with the players who stayed, which has been a real bonus after a hectic few weeks.
“We have to win football matches it is as simple as that, I think fans will be happy if the team are winning matches and playing in a way that they are enjoying and we have to get to that as quickly as we possibly can.”
Reflecting on the summer window, Martin expressed his satisfaction with the transfer business and believes his squad is now in a stronger place. On deadline day signings Derek Cornielus and Youssef Chermiti, he continued: “I am delighted with the transfer window. Youssef has tools that you really want in a number nine. He has good athleticism, and he is a great kid who wants to learn.
“He has a brilliant record at youth level, and he hasn’t really had the chance that he probably wanted at first-team level yet.
“We are really excited to have him here because he is a seriously talented player, and there was a lot of interest throughout Europe in the top leagues for him and he was desperate to be here.
“Also, Derek has played under big demands at Marseille, so I think that’ll be fine for him here and that was one thing we looked at straight away. I think he is someone who can really help and he is flexible along the back four as well, so we’ll be able to tweak shape a bit more than we have done now with the additions we have got, and it is exciting for us.”
On what he expects from Hearts tomorrow afternoon, Martin continued: “Things can change very much by winning tomorrow. We have to start winning for us, for everyone and for the work to really start coming to fruition.
“Hearts have been really good, they have been forward thinking, working really hard and you can see how they have started the season so well.
“It will be a tough test but like I say we have to try and turn the game into the one we want to as quickly as we can and play the game we want to as much as we can and I think the players will be ready for that.”
2025-26 AWAY KIT: Follow Forever. Shop the 2025-26 Umbro x Rangers Away Kit in-store or online HERE
GET YOUR 2025-26 MYGERS MEMBERSHIP: Enjoy exclusive experiences, discounts and events with a MyGers membership HERE
VIP HOSPITALITY: Combining all the passion, excitement and joy of football with an unrivalled choice of suites and packages at Ibrox Stadium HERE
Article Copyright © 2025. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to www.rangers.co.uk