Rangers Coach Urges Team to Shift Mindset Ahead of Champions League Qualifier
Rangers head coach Russell Martin has emphasized the need for his players to abandon a mindset of "self-preservation" and fully embrace the demands of representing the club as they gear up for a crucial Champions League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen.
Following a disappointing draw with Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener, Martin delivered a candid post-match assessment, expressing hope that his players will internalize his message, which he insists comes from a "place of love".
The third qualifying round match against the Czech side will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland.
Martin lamented his team’s lack of application and effort at Fir Park, describing their struggles as a "mentality problem".
When asked if his approach could be considered tough love, he replied, "If they know us by now as a coaching staff, it all comes from a place of love and care for them. I don’t make these comments to be ruthless; it’s about helping them improve. Those who know me understand that my intentions are to support them in becoming better players."
He added, "When we come from that perspective, any feedback we provide can lead to honest and constructive conversations. I hope they recognize who we are and what our goals are. I genuinely believe they are trying their best, but we need to shift away from the learned behavior of self-protection when faced with challenges, as they are fundamentally good people."
Rangers enter another pivotal week after advancing to the Champions League third qualifying round by defeating Panathinaikos last week. Martin expressed confidence that his post-match comments would not negatively impact the team, but he made it clear that players who cannot handle pressure should not expect to remain in the squad.
"If my comments have a negative effect on certain individuals, then they may not be the right fit for this journey with us," he stated. "If it affects you to the point where you feel isolated, it suggests you might not be fully committed to this club and our objectives. I have no concerns about it affecting the overall team dynamics."
Team News
Martin confirmed that Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane will miss out due to fitness issues, and it remains uncertain whether 17-year-old attacker Mikey Moore, who is on loan from Tottenham, will receive international clearance in time to join the squad.
What About Plzen?
If Rangers were preparing to face a Viktoria Plzen side featuring star midfielder Pavel Sulc, those plans will need to be revised. The Czech club announced on Monday that a transfer was "being finalized," followed by confirmation of Sulc's signing with French club Lyon.
This news is likely a relief for Rangers, as Sulc was named the Czech league's player of the season for the 2024-25 campaign, known for his scoring and playmaking abilities.
The transfer deal is reported to be worth an initial £6.5 million (€7.5 million), with an additional £2.2 million (€2.5 million) in potential add-ons.
Viktoria Plzen president Adolf Sadek stated on the club's website, "Pavel has played a significant role in helping us progress past the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and he has received a suitable offer from a team competing in one of Europe’s top five leagues, which aligns with our long-term transfer strategy. Now is the right time for him to experience top-level competition abroad."