Martin was 32 when he made the switch to Ibrox and did not add to his 29 Scotland caps, the first of which came as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Wales in 2011.
That international debut came under Craig Levein, while Martin was a regular pick for Gordon Strachan, playing in the home and away wins against Croatia in 2013.
The Brighton-born central defender enjoyed his peak years at Carrow Road, making more than 300 appearances for Norwich.
There, he achieved back-to-back promotions from League One with Paul Lambert in charge. He was captain when they returned to the Premier League in 2015.
Martin also captained previous clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United and his leadership qualities also impressed Naismith.
“Communication is one of his strongest points,” added the ex-Hearts boss. “He understands the highs and lows and what it takes to get the best out of a player.”
Former Swansea City striker Lee Trundle echoed those sentiments, telling BBC Sport Scotland that man-management is one of Martin’s main strengths.
“Everyone at Swansea loved playing for him. He’s honest with his players, he tells them what he needs,” he said.
“He’s very clever. I don’t think he has a plan A or a plan B, it’s just the way he sees football. He thinks that is how the game should be played and he sticks with it.”
Anyone who saw Martin play can attest to his steely competitiveness.
A gentle Sussex accent and impressive articulacy belie a turbulent upbringing, with his late father’s violence and gambling leading to upheaval.
Martin has spoken candidly of a complex relationship with his Scottish dad, who vacillated between doting and controlling and pushed him and his brothers hard as their first football coach.
“My whole world revolved around proving him wrong and making him proud,” he told The Times in November 2023.
He cleaned toilets before school and worked night shifts in a supermarket prior to his move into the professional ranks at the relatively late age of 18.
He also had to battle ulcerative colitis during his career, changing to a vegan diet to combat inflammation after experiments with acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies.
Martin has never been afraid to go his own way. Could it be the right way for Rangers?
