Rangers' New Season Challenges Under Russell Martin
With new ownership, a new head coach, and nearly an entirely new squad, the challenge of improving on-field performance has led Russell Martin to emphasize that there is "no quick fix" for Rangers as they grapple with familiar issues at the start of the new season.
Under the guidance of the former Southampton boss, Martin, Rangers remain unbeaten in their first five matches. However, two of these games ended in draws in the Scottish Premiership, a situation that is not acceptable for a team aiming to compete with reigning champions Celtic.
After the team celebrated a convincing 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifying, the same players faced boos from the home crowd after narrowly avoiding defeat against Dundee, thanks to a last-minute penalty.
This scenario echoes past challenges that Martin believes will require time to resolve. The question now is how Rangers and their new head coach will navigate these early-season struggles.
Reflecting on the Draw
Having finished 15 points behind their city rivals last season, Rangers are already trailing Celtic by one point, with Brendan Rodgers' team set to play their game in hand against Aberdeen on Sunday.
If Rangers advance past their Euro tie following Tuesday's second leg against Plzen, they will postpone their league match against St Mirren on August 24 to prepare for the playoff, potentially leaving them seven points behind by the time Celtic visits Ibrox the following week.
Rangers could have faced an even worse situation, having been fortunate to escape with a point against Motherwell last weekend. The team had to finish the game against Dundee with ten men until captain James Tavernier came off the bench to secure a late penalty equalizer.
A "disappointed" Martin acknowledged a lack of energy in the first half, stating, "There was just general lethargy and no speed in the first half." After last week’s draw at Fir Park, he had questioned the mentality of some players, urging them to "drop their ego." He was, however, pleased with the team's response against Plzen.
Martin noted, "I was pleased with the team’s response when we went down to ten men. We could have won the game in the end, but the right mentality needs to start from the very first kick of the match." He also accepted some responsibility, admitting, "In hindsight, I should've made some changes to inject energy into the team, but I explained my decision before the game. It’s a lesson learned today."
BBC pundit and former Rangers striker described the team as "Jekyll and Hyde," similar to the inconsistencies seen under previous managers Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson last season. "They would have a brilliant European performance and then fall flat," he remarked on BBC Scotland's Sportscene. "This is something Russell Martin needs to address quickly."
Understanding Fan Frustration
Saturday’s draw was particularly frustrating for Rangers fans, given that Dundee arrived with a poor start to their season, increasing pressure on their new head coach, former Rangers defender Steven Pressley.
Dundee had not beaten Rangers in their previous 17 meetings and had lost their last 19 visits to Ibrox. Despite a passing style that saw centre-half John Souttar attempt 131 passes—more than any player in the opening two weekends—Rangers still relied on a penalty to secure a draw, marking the first time since 1989 that they failed to win their opening two league matches.
Martin empathized with the home support, acknowledging, "The fans have lacked the success they want for quite some time, so I understand the frustration. I didn’t get too high on Tuesday, and we’re not going to get too low today." He emphasized the need for a cultural shift within the club, stating, "This is not a quick fix, and I’m not making excuses. We need to change the culture and the feel of the club daily, which will ultimately lead to positive outcomes, though perhaps not as quickly as everyone desires."
Balancing Egos and Performance
Former Rangers striker and assistant coach Billy Dodds commented on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, stating, "Russell Martin wants the players to set aside their egos and focus on football. However, I believe they need more egos at the club, as these often accompany top players."
Rangers struggled to break down teams sitting back defensively, a challenge they faced last season. Dodds credited Pressley for his tactical approach, noting, "He received a lot of criticism early in the season, but he got his tactics spot on."
Right-back Tavernier and midfielder Nicolas Raskin were initially dropped to the bench but made significant impacts when introduced. Martin praised Raskin, stating, "He tackled more than the whole team." Meanwhile, centre-half Nasser Djiga may miss the upcoming Old Firm derby due to suspension following a red card against Dundee, leaving Martin with questions about his squad as fixtures come thick and fast.
Former Rangers forward Gordon Smith remarked that the team performed better with ten men and lamented that Cyriel Dessers was denied a late winner due to an offside call. He questioned, "How can they deliver such performances in Europe but struggle in the league?" This remains a conundrum that Martin must address moving forward.