Rangers have appointed Russell Martin as their new coach, and he now walks into a wall of dominance in Glasgow by one club, and one club only.
The former defender knows what life is like in Scotland because, not only did he represent The Tartan Army for 29 matches during his career.
But Martin also played for Rangers during a brief loan spell in 2018, when Celtic were causing havoc under Rodgers, and they still are today.
Celtic cruised to the title during the recently concluded season, including winning the League Cup in December.
At that time, Martin was still the manager of Southampton, before getting sacked weeks later, and he had some interesting words to say about Celtic and the club’s Treble-winning coach, Ange Postecoglou.
What new Rangers boss Russell Martin once said about Celtic and Ange Postecoglou
It’s interesting listening back to Martin’s comments now because, not only was he spot on about how ‘brilliant’ Celtic were under Postecoglou, but he also defended the Spurs manager.
Now that Postecoglou has won the Europa League, that defence from Martin looks even better, especially praising the ‘brave’ nature in which his Celtic team played.
Either way, it will probably irk the Rangers fans, but Martin dropped the facts about how Postecoglou won ‘lots of trophies’ at Celtic, including the nature in which they went about it, as he told Sky Sports.
“I watched a lot of his Celtic team, they were brilliant,” said Martin in December 2024. “They got so much praise for being so aggressive and so brave. Relentless restarts. Energy, energy and energy.
“He (Postecoglou) did a great job. Won lots of trophies. Played in the Champions League. He goes to Spurs, starts so well, so when the results are good enough, nobody questions his style of the conviction or belief system.
“Then, the minute it starts faltering, it’s always down to that. I am pretty sure, and I get criticised for the same thing about being stubborn, and all that stuff.
“But if you believe in something, and it has taken you a certain way in life, on a certain pathway and journey, then to deviate too far from that is crazy.
“Everyone is quick to criticise these days, and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Postecoglou’s record at Celtic
The only downside to Postecoglou’s time in Scotland was the fact that it wasn’t long enough, but the Premier League came calling.
After Steven Gerrard had stopped the ten, Celtic turned to Postecoglou in 2021, and he was an instant success.
The Greek-born Australian bowed out by winning the Treble, and he knows more than anyone that he is welcome back any time.
