Rangers supporters have taken to social media to express their astonishment after discovering their newly appointed manager Russell Martin is in a relationship with former glamour model Lucy Pinder.
The 39-year-old former Scotland international defender's appointment at Ibrox has prompted fans to research his background, leading to unexpected revelations about his personal life.
"Working magic on and off the pitch," one supporter wrote on X.
Another admitted: "Just when I thought I couldn’t like Russell any more he goes and fulfils all of our childhood dreams!"
New Rangers boss Russell Martin is dating former glamour model Lucy Pinder
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Fans seemed impressed by Martin's exploits off the pitch, with the pair reportedly dating for just shy of a year.
Martin secured the three-year deal at Ibrox just one week after a US-based consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh and the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, completed their takeover of the Glasgow club.
The Rangers ownership described him as the "standout choice" following an extensive recruitment process to find a replacement for Philippe Clement, who was dismissed in February.
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Russell Martin was announced as the new Rangers boss this week
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Former captain Barry Ferguson had been leading the team in the interim period.
The Gers finished the season 15 points behind arch-rivals Celtic last term, led by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
Martin arrives in Scotland for his first managerial position since being dismissed by Southampton in December, when the club were bottom of the Premier League.
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He had achieved play-off final success with them a year prior, beating Leeds 1-0 at Wembley to win football's most lucrative match.
Pinder rose to prominence during the peak of lads' magazines in the mid-2000s, regularly appearing topless in Nuts Magazine and featuring on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list multiple times.
She placed 16th in 2005, 35th in 2006 and 92nd in 2007, whilst Ralph Magazine awarded her the title of "the best boobs in the world" in 2007.
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The pair have been publicly dating for 10 months
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The model was discovered on Bournemouth beach in 2003 at age 19 whilst working as a secretary.
She also became a familiar face to football fans through appearances on Soccer AM, where she would wear her Southampton shirt.
The couple made their relationship public in August last year when Pinder shared a photograph of them together in Brighton, where Martin was receiving an honorary degree.
A source told The Sun at the time: "She is a regular face at Southampton functions and is always around the club as a diehard fan. Over the weeks and months their friendship grew into something more.
"They're a match made in heaven or at least in Southampton. They're mad for each other."
Despite being a lifelong Southampton supporter, Pinder will now be supporting her partner from the stands at Ibrox next season.
Martin's relationship with Pinder follows the breakdown of his marriage to Jasmine Martin, with whom he has three children.
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