RUSSELL MARTIN has spent his life trying to prove people wrong.
From growing up with an abusive dad, to being told he wasn’t good enough to become a pro.
Russell Martin follows a vegan diet and is a former political party member[/caption]
But Martin squeezed every last drop of talent from his system to become a Premier League star and Scotland international.
Now he’s in the race to succeed Philippe Clement as Rangers boss.
There were question marks when Southampton appointed Martin in 2023 after relegation, and he was forced to sell £140million worth of players.
But last May he led them back to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Martin, 39, refused to change his playing style in the top flight, and was axed with Saints almost certainly heading back to the Championship in May.
His philosophy is all about possession and he won’t change it for any Plan B.
He said: “We judge players on two things — courage and aggression with the ball and without it.
“When people talk about the values of the team and philosophy, it’s to dominate the ball as much as you can, and when you don’t have it, you run really hard to get it back.
“It’s for me to feel it as much as they do, so when they make a mistake I don’t scream and shout. If it doesn’t work and I get sacked, at least I get sacked doing something I believe in.
“I am not driven by fear of losing my job.
“My fear is not giving players enough to enable them to give the best versions of themselves.”
The second youngest of four brothers, Martin grew up near Brighton.
Late father Dean was violent towards mum Kerry and he had stints in prison.
Through his dad, Martin qualified to play for Scotland and he won 29 caps.
Now vegan as he suffers from ulcerative colitis, he meditates, has studied Buddhism, and was a member of the Green Party before becoming disillusioned with politics.
Martin had an ice bath every day at Southampton, he uses a cryotherapy chamber near his home and swims in the sea at Hove all year round.
At the age of 30, he set up the Russell Martin Foundation to help local youngsters.
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