Former MK Dons boss Russell Martin will be the new Head Coach of Scottish side Rangers.
The 39-year-old has been appointed as a permanent successor to Phillippe Clement, who left the Glasgow-based club in February, and as a replacement for Barry Ferguson, who had been in caretaker charge since Clement’s departure.
Martin has signed a 3 year contract at Ibrox, returning to a club who he played for on loan in 2018. He will be joined at the club by Assistant Head Coach Matt Gill and Performance Coach Rhys Owen.
The move sees Martin return to management for the first time since leaving Southampton. Martin had won promotion with Southampton via the Championship play-offs in the 2023/24 season, but was sacked after winning one of the first 16 games in the Premier League in the just-concluded 2024/25 season.
Before his time with the Saints, Martin had stints at MK Dons and Swansea as a Head Coach.
At MK Dons, Martin was appointed in November 2019 as a successor to Paul Tisdale, with Martin able to keep MK Dons up in the covid-shortened 2019/20 campaign before managing a 13th place finish in the 2020/21 season. He left on the eve of the 2021/22 season to take the Swansea City job.
The move to appoint Martin is Rangers’ first following their takeover by a US-based consortium last week, with the Scottish club having been also linked with former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti, ex-boss Steven Gerrard and former Feyernoord boss Brian Priske before choosing Martin.
Martin told the official Rangers website of his delight to get the job with the Glasgow club, who have finished as runners up to Celtic in each of the last four seasons.
He said, “It is a privilege to be named Head Coach of Rangers Football Club at the beginning of this exciting new chapter.
“I know what this club demands. From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history. Now, as I return, I’m determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club.
“There’s a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies, and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of. We want to play with bravery, to take the ball, to be aggressive, and to stand up in the big moments.”
Police have released CCTV of two people officers would like to speak regarding a burglary investigation in Milton Keynes.
The image relates to an incident that happened around 3.10pm on 25 May, when police received a call from a branch of H Samuel in Crown Walk in the centre:mk shopping centre in Central Milton Keynes.
The jewellery store reported that a glass cabinet had been broken and six solid gold bracelets were stolen. The offenders left the scene and no arrests have been made.
Investigating officer PC Emily Sivyer of the Milton Keynes Priority Crime Team said, “This incident has occurred in a busy shopping area in the middle of the afternoon.
“I am today releasing an image of two men who I believe may have vital information that can assist me with this investigation.
“If you recognise either of these men, or either of them is you, I would ask you to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43250257182.
“Alternatively, for anonymity, you can provide information via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website, www.crimestoppers.uk-org.”
MK Dons have announced plans for their pre-season schedule, with the first team to play seven matches ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The League 2 club’s preparations under new boss Paul Warne will say them play a variety of tests ahead of the upcoming campaign, with seven matches announced for the first team, including a match against Scottish top flight side St Mirren and one against Championship outfit Bristol City.
MK Dons’ first pre-season commitment will be on Saturday 5th July against St Mirren, which will be held as part of a pre-season training camp in Spain. The match will be taking place in the town of San Pedro del Pinatar, located near Murcia and Alicante in southern Spain, with kick-off at 11am local time.
The Dons’ first friendly back in England will be a week later, when they travel to face Hitchin Town on Saturday 12th July at 3pm. That match will see them face a familiar face in the form of former Dons midfielder Stephen Gleeson, who is a player/assistant manager with the Hertfordshire club.
After that, MK Dons face an away trip to National League newboys Brackley Town, with Warne’s side facing the National League North champions in Northamptonshire on Tuesday 15th July at 7:45pm.
Simultaneous friendlies will then take place on Saturday 19th July, with a split squad facing two games on the same day that both start at 3pm. One clash will be against League Two champions Doncaster Rovers, with the Dons facing Rovers in a match held at the home of non-league side AFC Dunstable. Meanwhile, a separate squad will travel to play Wealdstone at the National League club’s ground in North London.
MK Dons’ sole friendly at Stadium MK then follows, with the Dons hosting Championship play-off semi-finalists Bristol City. This contest is on Tuesday 22nd July, with the Dons welcome a side that used to be managed by Liam Manning in a match that will start at 7:30pm.
One week before the first game of the new season, MK Dons will travel to play League One side Stevenage. The match against a side managed by ex-Dons player Alex Revell will be a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 26th July at the Lamex Stadium.
In addition, the Dons’ academy squad will have their own pre-season schedule.
They will begin their schedule at Newport Pagnell Town on Friday 11th July, before facing MK Irish on Saturday 12th July.
After that, they will have matches against Arlesey Town on Wednesday 16th July, Leighton Town on Saturday 19th July and AFC Dunstable on Saturday 26th July.
Ticketing information for all games is available on the MK Dons website.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a disturbance in Bletchley, during which a firearm may have been discharged.
The appeal relates to an incident that happened around 4.20pm yesterday (3/6), when Thames Valley Police received a report of a disturbance on Garrowmore Grove between a number of people who were in possession of weapons. It was reported that during this incident, a firearm was discharged.
There were at least six males in the group, who were wearing tracksuits and face coverings.
A 54-year-old man from Bletchley has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis. He remains in custody at this time.
Detective Inspector Rachel Wheaton said, “We are aware that incidents of this nature will cause concern in the community; however, please be assured that we have not received any reports of anyone being injured and we have made an arrest.
“We are investigating this incident as a priority and are following a number of lines of enquiry.
“At this time we believe that this was an isolated incident and may have been targeted.
“There will be ongoing police presence in the area today while we investigate.
“We are appealing for anyone in the area between 4pm and 4.30pm who may have witnessed groups hanging around Garrowmore Grove.
“We are also asking anyone who heard or saw the incident taking place or anyone with dash-cams driving through the area to check if they passed a silver Toyota Auris estate which we believe is linked to this incident.
“Anyone with information can provide information through our online reporting pages, or by calling 101 quoting reference 43250273836.
“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your information anonymously.”
Milton Keynes City Council have announced there will be changes to the electoral map ahead of next year’s local elections.
New electoral wards will be introduced for the May 2026 local elections following an independent review of Milton Keynes City Council’s electoral map and two consultations by The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC). Milton Keynes’ boundaries were last reviewed and redrawn in 2014.
The LGBC is the national body that draws boundaries for English elections. As population changes over time, the Commission routinely reviews an area’s boundaries to ensure councillors represent about the same number of electors.
The Commission’s final recommendations for changes published as part of the review proposed that the number of city councillors should be increased from 57 to 60, and the number of wards be increased from 19 to 21.
Under the new proposals there will be 19 three-councillor wards, 1 two-councillor ward (New Bradwell), and 1 single-councillor ward (Hanslope).
Further information can be found on the review page of the LGBC’s website, including an interactive map.
The changes become law once Parliament has approved them ahead of the May 2026 local elections, when all Milton Keynes City Councillors will be up for election.
To register to vote, you need just five minutes and your National Insurance number
