NOD’S AS GOOD AS A WINK WITH RUSSELL

WHEN Russell Martin got his first gig in management at MK Dons he didn’t just get the team playing — he transformed the entire club.

- By Scott McDermott

That’s according to Pete Winkelman, the man who took a gamble on him six years ago.

And he reckons giving Martin his dugout start was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

The 39-year-old has spoken to Rangers about succeeding Philippe Clement at Ibrox and becoming their new boss.

Martin is one of the leading candidates for the job after leaving Southampton in December and although Steven Gerrard appears to be the frontrunner, he cannot be discounted.

The former Scotland defender, who played for Rangers on loan from Norwich in 2018, was appointed MK manager at the age of just 33 by then chairman Winkelman in November 2019.

After consolidating the club in League One, Martin was head-hunted by Swansea City — before eventually getting to the Premier League with Saints.

Winkelman, who spent two decades in charge at MK, was always convinced Martin would be a top coach.