WalMart as Russ signs up
56 Sunday Mail
Rangers flop Russell Martin has signed for Walsall as a player-coach.
And boss Dean Keates reckons landing the former Scot land stopper is a transfer coup for the League One club.
The 32- year- old, who boasts 29 caps, spent the second half of last season on loan at Ibrox from Norwich.
He hoped it would lead to a long-term deal at Gers but Martin failed to impress under Graeme Murty and new boss Steven Gerrard didn’t sign him up.
Martin was then released by Norwich in the summer and failed to find a new club before the transfer window closed at the end of August.
But he is now back in the game at Walsall and Keates is thrilled to have a player of his experience on board.
The Saddlers boss said: “It’s a massive coup for us. He’s someone I know from playing with him for three years at Peterborough.
“We’ve remained in touch ever since and it was always a case of just waiting and waiting. It has been a drawn- out process but eventually we’ve got to where we want to be.
“He’ll bring leadership. He captained a club from League One up into the Premier League and worked his way up to become an established international.
“To add that experience to the young group we’ve got is massive.
“He’ll help with the back four and be an example to the younger lads.”
Martin can’t wait to play for Walsall and hopes to get his career back on track.
He said: “I’m very excited to be here. It has been rumbling on for a while.
“I felt this was the perfect opportunity to come into a club that is doing really well, with a manager I trust.
“The fact he wants me to get involved in the coaching side as well was a big draw.
“He has been on the phone constantly over the last few weeks and I’m happy to finally get it sorted.
“I’m hoping to add some value on and off the pitch, predominantly as a player. If I can help them off the pitch, which I hope I will, I believe it will improve us.”