This is my chance to earn permanent deal, says Martin

RUSSELL MARTIN hopes a starring role against Celtic in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final could pave the way to a longer-term stay at Rangers. The 32-year-old Scotland centre-back is on loan at Ibrox from Norwich City until the end of the season but has already made plain his wish to remain in Glasgow beyond the summer. And he knows there would be no better way to press his case than by helping Rangers earn a first Old Firm success in ten attempts on his debut in the fixture. ‘Am I playing for my future? One hundred per cent,’ said Martin, who missed last month’s Premiership defeat to Celtic due to a back injury. ‘The powers-that-be here at the club know what I want. They see what I have added to the group, not just on the pitch, but off it as well, which is obviously a big thing. ‘Hopefully, I will have a decision to make in the summer. I am still contracted to Norwich, so there will be lots of ifs, buts and maybes. ‘But my intention has been the same since I started here — to prove that I am worthy of staying. Playing well in games like this will only help that. ‘I just see the potential here to be successful. I like the mentality where every week is a massive game for this football club. ‘I love the pressure of playing games like this Sunday. I’d love to play those sort of games every week. I have developed some good relationships in a short space of time. I see some of the young players coming through and I think there are positive times ahead. ‘We need to cement that and make sure people understand and realise that by winning games like this.’ Martin (left) already knew Graeme Murty from the latter’s time as a development coach at Norwich, but he is unsure whether his own future is entwined with that of the manager. ‘All of that is secondary to the game,’ he insisted. ‘We have to concentrate on winning. Anything that comes from that, for the manager or for anyone, is a bonus. The main focus is to win the game and perform the way we know we can.’ It is possible that Martin could go head-to-head with Scotland colleague Leigh Griffiths, who staked a claim for a starting role by coming off the bench to score in Celtic’s victory over Hamilton last weekend. ‘I know a lot of their players quite well, having been in the national squad with them,’ added Martin. ‘We will be prepared. As always, I will watch individual clips, even though I know Leigh a little bit from the Scotland squad and know his strengths. ‘I will watch clips of all their forward players, as will the other defenders, and make sure I am prepared.’