JOE ROTHWELL REVEALED WHAT RUSSEL MARTIN SAID TO HIM AS RANGERS SET TO ANNOUNCE SECOND SUMMER SIGNING

JOE ROTHWELL is set to be Russell Martin’s second summer signing.

And the Bournemouth midfielder wants to pledge allegiance to the dark blue of Scotland as well as the light blue of Rangers.

The Ibrox club have agreed a deal for 30-year-old Rothwell, who helped Leeds United to Premier League promotion on loan last season and is eligible for Scotland.

Speaking in April, he said: “I’m more than open to the idea of playing for Scotland. My gran was Scottish and she would be really proud if I was to do that.”

Rothwell is expected to pen a three-year deal and follows defender Max Aarons, who joined Gers on loan from the Cherries last week.

The midfielder is signing for an undisclosed fee and had his medical on Tuesday — with his arrival in Glasgow expected to be confirmed on Wednesday.

Rothwell is a product of the Manchester United academy, and made the switch to Bournemouth from Blackburn in 2022.

He joined Martin’s Southampton side on loan — helping them to the Premier League in season 2023-24.

It’s understood Rothwell snubbed several offers from La Liga to hook up with his former boss at Ibrox.

The Rangers gaffer is ramping up recruitment with experienced defender Conor Coady wanted from Leicester City.

Hamza Igamane is on the brink of a £15million switch to Lille, and Gers are now stepping up their search for a replacement striker.

Israeli ace Dor Turgeman remains their top target.

Reports claim the Ibrox side are willing to meet Maccabi Tel Aviv’s asking price of just over £4m, with the 21-year-old keen to move to Glasgow.

As we revealed last Sunday, Lille have upped the ante in their pursuit of Igamane, with a deal now close. Gers swooped for the Moroccan international in a deal worth £1.7m last summer.

He hit 16 goals for the Ibrox side last season.

His outstanding display against Nice in the Europa League caught the eye of clubs across Europe, but Lille are now closing in on a deal for Igamane.

Cyriel Dessers is on the brink of a move to AEK Athens.

Feyenoord have also been linked with last season’s top scorer — but reports in Greece on Tuesday claim AEK are preparing their final push to land the front man.

Boss Martin is also continuing to track Croat forward Matija Frigan.

Meanwhile, Gers are set to bring in former Arsenal goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo to work with Jack Butland and Liam Kelly.

SunSport understands Bibbo, who has been working at Sheffield Wednesday, is the man Martin wants for the job.

He only had two permanent staff members with him when he was appointed head coach in June — his long-term assistant Matt Gill and also performance coach Rhys Owen.

Bibbo, who spent a year on Arsenal’s staff, is free to move after the expiry of his contract at crisis club Wednesday.

There’s still room for more coaching input on Martin’s backroom team — with Issame Charai departing last month to manage Belgian outfit Westerlo.

A former pro keeper himself, Bibbo played for the likes of Sheffield United, Bath City and Havant and Waterlooville.