Rangers' Mixed Emotions After Narrow Win Over Livingston

Blue shoots of recovery but not for the fans.

In a dramatic turn of events, moments after celebrating a last-minute winner that prompted some supporters to rush onto the pitch, the mood among the Rangers fans quickly shifted. The jubilant cheers transformed into jeers, with a significant portion of the Almondvale crowd chanting, "Martin, Martin, get tae...".

The atmosphere has become personal for many in the Rangers support. Instead of allowing under-pressure manager Russell Martin to savor the final moments of his first Scottish Premiership victory, they once again voiced their discontent.

Former Scotland forward James McFadden remarked on Sky Sports, "You could hear clearly what the fans felt towards the manager, even after the goal went in. It’s big for the players, but I’m not too sure what it does for Russell Martin."

His fellow pundit, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Martin keeps speaking about anxiety, but you’re away from home against a team that’s just been promoted. Rangers have better players than Livingston. It’s a relief, but it’s papering over the cracks. It’s still not good enough for Rangers."

First-half display shows blueprint for Martin

In one sense, both pundits are correct—one win does not change what has been a dismal start to Martin's tenure. A victory against a team that was relegated last season is unlikely to sway many opinions.

However, Martin needed this win, and he ultimately delivered. Is the proverbial tanker he mentioned a few weeks ago beginning to turn?

The first half at Almondvale showcased a different Rangers side—faster, more aggressive, and more direct. They posed numerous challenges to a typically resilient opponent. James Tavernier scored a well-placed goal, followed by a missed penalty saved by Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior. The first half highlighted Rangers' dominance, with a disallowed goal from Derek Cornelius and a missed opportunity from striker Bojan Miovski, demonstrating that this team did not appear to be in crisis.

Another positive for Martin was the team’s determination to continue pushing for a win beyond the 90-minute mark. Players who might not support the manager would likely not exert themselves if they felt his job was in jeopardy.

Rangers continued to apply pressure, forcing late free-kicks and corners until Max Aarons netted the winner in the dying moments of the game, marking a moment of redemption after his previous red card in Bruges.

Former Northern Ireland international Stephen Craigan commented on Sportsound, "Rangers were disjointed; nobody knew the shape or the tactics, but somehow they found a way to win the game. The big positive is they won out of nowhere, but there are many lessons to learn in the second half regarding game management. The manager must reflect on his substitutions and tactical decisions."

'Take three points and get off the pitch'

What Martin cannot dispute is the desire shown by his players. A less resolute squad could have succumbed to the pressure during Livingston's comeback.

When the result is more important than the performance, it would be unwise to nitpick too much. However, the fans' frustration is still palpable, as evidenced by their chants towards Martin. A sustained run of victories, both at home and abroad, is necessary to quell this discontent.

Upcoming challenging fixtures against Graz and Falkirk will be critical before any potential reconciliation with some fans. Nevertheless, this victory has provided a temporary reprieve. Neil McCann, who served as an assistant at Ibrox last season, commented on Sky Sports, "It’s so important for Russell Martin. You could see the relief on his face. Today was just about winning. Take three points and get off the pitch."

Martin confirmed he quickly exited down the tunnel at full-time to allow his team to celebrate without the mood being dampened by further chants directed at him. He expressed his happiness for the players, stating, "The fans saw a team that’s really fighting for each other and for the coaching staff. I can’t control the fans’ reactions; that’s why I walked down the tunnel so quickly. It’s about the players today, not me."

This late win against Livingston follows a solid performance against Hibernian that secured a League Cup semi-final spot, despite a narrow defeat to Genk where Rangers played with 10 men for 50 minutes.

There are whispers of recovery for Rangers, but this could quickly dissipate if further mediocrity surfaces in upcoming matches. While expectations may not be high, signs of improvement are emerging for Martin, regardless of fan sentiment.

What are the fans saying?

Stevie: I saw two different sides of Rangers today. The first half was amazing—edge of your seat. The second half was what we have been seeing for weeks now: dodgy and unpredictable. I thought we were lucky to walk away with three points.

Scott: Get out of my club now, Martin.

Peter: Can Rangers please employ someone to edit the post-match interview drivel that comes from the head coach? It’s embarrassing.

Steve: I still think Martin needs to go. The second half proved he’s still not good enough to lead this team.

Steven: Papering over the cracks. So bad, no rhythm, no formation, and we got lucky at the end.

Brian: It gives me no pleasure to say, but that win is the wrong result for Rangers as it eases the pressure on Martin and means he will stay for the time being.

George: Far too much negative passing at the back. Martin’s system does not work, and he is not clever enough to change it. Surely his time is up?

Callum: I hope Martin doesn’t think he’s off the hook because of one scrappy result. He’s still the worst manager the club has ever had, and the sooner he goes, the sooner we get back to some form of normality.

Sally: When is Martin going to learn this team does not have the skill in defense to play possession football? The ball is not being played quickly enough, which allowed Livingston’s midfield and defense to regroup. Livingston deserved a point.

Rangers' Mixed Emotions After Narrow Win Over Livingston

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