“Imagine Him and Dessers Leaves Ibrox” – Another Rangers Star Set to Leave Ibrox After Dessers Impending Exit in a Squad Shake-Up Move by Russell – Is This the Right Call?

Russell Martin to Sanction Another Rangers Departure After Dessers as Squad Shake-Up Begins

Russell Martin is preparing to continue reshaping his Rangers squad, with another senior player expected to depart in the coming days following Cyriel Dessers’ impending exit.

The new Ibrox boss has yet to make his first official signing, but work behind the scenes is intensifying, with outgoings currently taking priority as Martin assesses which players fit into his vision for the club. According to sources close to the situation, another Rangers star is set to be moved on, with the club continuing to streamline the first-team squad ahead of new arrivals.

Dessers, the Nigerian international who joined the club last summer from Cremonese, is expected to complete a move away after a polarising debut campaign in Glasgow. While his goal return was respectable — including key strikes in Europe and domestic fixtures — inconsistency and fan frustration saw him become a divisive figure at Ibrox.

Now, Martin looks set to sanction a second high-profile departure, as he wastes no time stamping his authority on a squad that fell short of expectations in the 2024/25 season. The identity of the next outgoing player has not yet been publicly confirmed, but sources indicate that decisions are being made swiftly behind closed doors.

It is understood that Martin, who only took over officially in early June, has been in constant dialogue with the Rangers board over how best to restructure the squad. A mixture of experienced exits and targeted signings are expected, as the former Swansea and Southampton boss looks to implement his preferred style of high-possession, front-foot football — a philosophy that will require tactical discipline and technical composure across the pitch.

“Russell Martin is set for a busy few weeks at Rangers, dealing with the futures of his own players while also bringing in new ones,” a source close to the club told Football Insider. “Thus far, the former Southampton boss has not made his first signing as Gers manager.”

Despite the lack of incoming players at this stage of the window, Martin is believed to have already identified several key targets, with defensive reinforcements and midfield upgrades seen as a priority. However, trimming the wage bill and creating space in the squad are immediate tasks, especially given the club’s previous over-reliance on fringe players and aging pros.

The move to allow Dessers — and now potentially another senior player — to leave suggests Martin is being given significant autonomy to refresh the squad in line with his tactical demands and long-term project at Ibrox.

Supporters will now be watching closely for signs of fresh blood, with the expectation that once outgoings are finalised, a flurry of arrivals could follow quickly. With pre-season rapidly approaching, time is of the essence — and Russell Martin appears to be wasting none of it.