Murty backs Martin to raise standards at Ibrox

RANGERS boss Graeme Murty believes new signing Russell Martin will help drive up standards at Ibrox.

The 32-year-old defender, who was club captain at Norwich and has been capped 29 times by Scotland, has joined Rangers on loan until the end of the season.

While Martin found himself out of the picture in recent months under Canaries boss Daniel Farke, Murty says his desire and leadership skills are qualities that have been in short supply at Rangers.

Now he is hoping his new recruit will quickly bring out the best in the rest of his players.

Murty, who has worked previously with Martin at Norwich, said: “Russell is a character I know very well. He leads by what he does and how he lives his life. He’s a consummate professional.

“We need that. We need strong characters in the group but we also need people who are going to hold others to account if they’re not at the right standard.

“I’m not about people pointing out fault for people to make themselves look good.

“I want people who are going to hold others to account to make them better on a daily basis. “I believe Russell can be that kind of guy.

“We need more, better players who make the group better, and we also need people who are able to stand up in a tough changing-room and put forward their view forcefully in order to make us better.

“I’ve said to the players all the way through that their top standard is not a problem. It’s the daily habits and how far they are willing to come away from that top standard in their daily life which will define what we do this season.”

Csaba Laszlo