'Martin to prove right for Rangers in six months'

Russell Martin will have shown he is the "right man" for Rangers "within the first six months or so", predicts former team-mate Steven Naismith.The former Southampton manager, 39, begins his Ibrox reign with a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos next month, while his first Scottish Premiership game is a visit to Motherwell on 2 August.Naismith played alongside Martin for Norwich City and Scotland and believes he will prosper in Glasgow."I fully believe that he will come in and be a real success," Naismith told BBC Scotland.
"I think what has been lacking at Rangers over the years, he ticks most of the boxes. His style of play, he knows how to break down a low block that he'll come up against a lot, in terms of dominating possession."His communication and leadership skills are probably the highest things for him. He's shown in the three clubs he's managed before that he can produce, he can make teams better."Within the first six months or so, I think he will have shown a lot of those doubting him that he is the right man."Ex-Hearts head coach Naismith also revealed the pair are in contact regularly and, although he has not spoken to him specifically about the Rangers job, he says he will be on hand if Martin needs him."We chat a lot because we're friends and we're similar in terms of what we're going through in terms of coaching and management," the 38-year-old continued. "I'll give him any help I can. He's pretty straightforward and laser focused on his style, his mindset and what he wants."His experience of playing at the club (on loan in 2018) is definitely something that will hold him in good stead going into the start of his managerial career at Rangers."He wants his players to do certain things on the pitch that in Scotland get challenged from the stands quickly if it's not going well. Finding that balance of having that clear style and working towards that, but also getting results short-term, is going to be key for him."

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