Russell Martin was today unveiled as Rangers head coach, as the 39-year-old emerged as the “stand-out” candidate to lead the club under its new owners.

The former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager has been selected ahead of former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Feyenoord manager Brian Priske.

He succeeds interim manager Barry Ferguson, who stepped in when Philippe Clement was dismissed in February.

Martin has signed a three-year deal and brings his former assistants Matt Gill and Rhys Owens to Ibrox, along with former Rangers defender Maurice Ross.

The new coach spent six months on loan at Rangers from Norwich City in the second half of the 2017-18 season.

His return to Govan follows the completion of the club’s takeover by an American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises.

The search was led by newly-installed sporting director Kevin Thelwell and Greitar Steinsson, technical director for 49ers Enterprises.

Martin has been out of work since being sacked by Southampton in December. He led the club to promotion via the Championship play-offs last May but managed only one victory and 13 defeats in 16 Premier League matches.

His first competitive match at Ibrox will be in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round on July 22/23.

Speaking at a press conference today, flanked by Mr Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart, he responded to the doubters by saying: “My career has been based on proving people wrong.

“After five and a half years being a manager, being a coach, being a leader, I love doing it and I’m going to be all in here with my energy, with my love for it and my passion, and hopefully it will reflect on the pitch.”

Mr Thelwell said recruitment of players will be a “collaborative approach” with the head coach. His principal role will be to provide the services around the coach to help him do his job.