It looked as though a last-gasp win against Livingston could have acted as a springboard to better things for Russell Martin and Rangers, but they’ve since been returned to reality on the European stage.
Martin pinpoints "mentality" as Rangers problem
It’s one step forward and two steps back for Martin in Scotland. The former Southampton boss simply cannot get going and his job security continues to be questioned as a result. A late win against Livingston handed him a glimmer of hope, but the reality is that it just papered over the cracks that have been there ever since he arrived.
A visit to face Sturm Graz handed the Gers an opportunity to secure back-to-back wins, but first-half goals from Tomi Horvat and Otar Kiteishvili quickly left them with a mountain to climb. Djeidi Gassama’s strike to halve the deficit gave Rangers a foothold to salvage a point, but it sums up their season so far that they didn’t have enough to find an equaliser.
Martin reacted to yet another defeat, pinpointing Rangers’ “mentality” as the biggest issue and not his tactics on an evening to forget.
“The difference from the first half-hour to the next 60 minutes was too far apart really. It’s concentration, it’s mentality.
“I’m frustrated because we give away two poor goals, soft goals. We did so much work on them recently we were just not alive. We hurt ourselves because they didn’t create anything from open play. It’s hurtful and frustrating.”
Up next for the Scottish giants is a trip to face Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership. Given that Sunday’s opponents sit just two points behind Rangers, it is another must-win game for Martin, who continues to cling on to his job.
Many around Ibrox will be desperate to see an improved performance, including one pundit who called one moment against Sturm Graz “embarrassing”.
Kris Boyd slams "embarrassing" Rangers moment
Taking aim at yet another poor performance, former Rangers ace Kris Boyd called Rangers “embarrassing” after Sturm Graz’s first goal crept beyond Jack Butland.
The Sky Sports pundit said: “It’s embarrassing defending from Rangers. So wide open, but you’ve got to take care from the throw-in as well.”
It was yet more poor defending from Rangers and another moment to forget for Butland, who should have done better. No matter the tactics, Martin cannot prevent individual errors.
That said, time is running out for the manager to turn things around and reporters are already circling regarding the potential candidates that could replace him, with Steven Gerrard among those.
The former Rangers manager, who won the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox, no longer has any contractual issues from previous club Al-Ettifaq and could yet arrive to take charge for his second spell.
Defeat on Saturday against a side below them in the Scottish Premiership would undoubtedly see the pressure reach close to boiling point for Martin.