Russell Martin rapidly defies his own Rangers transfer expectations amid curious case of Nobel Mendy

Gers went from nothing imminent to a deal almost done and replacement identified while another collapsed abruptly

On Friday, Russell Martin was preaching patience over Ibrox exits as he expected those he wanted to move on to take their time and hang around until nearer the end of the transfer window.

Within 24 hours, he confirmed that one had a foot out the door and Rangers were set for a nice little earner with two weeks left until deadline day.

Martin hasn't hidden the fact that he needs to trim his squad after eight signings so far this summer.

But as he previewed Saturday's Premier Sports Cup win over Alloa, he didn't sound like a man who was just waiting on i's being dotted and t's being crossed before sending someone on their way.

"No, I think we're in the same situation really," he said. "There's some guys who probably know their future lies away and I'm sure their agents are working hard on that.

"But apart from that I think we're pretty much as is and that might not change until towards the end of the window when circumstances change and teams need something late on. It's often the way."

However, within 24 hours it was all changed with Jefte on the verge of a £6million move back to Brazil with Palmeiras, which had started to emerge last week. "Jefte was in yesterday (Friday), and then by yesterday evening, he's maybe not going to be here moving forward because it's a good deal for him and the club.

“So we'll see what happens over the next couple of days with that. We have to be ready to replace him, and we always have been ready."

Ready, it seems, means trying to do a deal for Brentford left back Jayden Meghoma.

“So Jayden, a player we know from Southampton, spent a year with us as a young boy, training every day, understands the work, top talent, plays for England at all the youth levels," said Martin.

“Brentford signed him for a lot of money for a teenager, and he went on loan last year in the Championship and did really well.

“So he's a player we know and like, and hopefully at some point he'll be a Rangers player and you'll know that when he is.”

There's also the curious case of Nobel Mendy.

The Betis defender was going to Rayo Vallecano. Then he performed a u-turn and was set for Ibrox.

We had Betis directors saying they expected the deal to happen.

Then news broke on Saturday that the deal was off and Mendy is staying in Seville.

Martin said on Friday that he'd “never spoken to Nobel Mendy" and if that's the case, then holding your breath on any deal being resurrected wouldn't be the wisest move.