Rangers' Europa League loss to Sturm Graz has reignited criticism of Russell Martin's leadership, with the head coach once again attributing the defeat to a recurring "mentality" issue rather than tactical shortcomings.
Two months after Martin claimed Rangers' struggles were rooted in mindset rather than strategy following a draw against Motherwell, the same narrative resurfaced after a disjointed 2-1 defeat in Austria. The manager insisted, "It's mentality, not a technical or tactical problem," a sentiment that has become almost ritualistic in the face of consecutive disappointments.
The match exposed defensive lapses that have plagued the team this season. A sloppy throw-in by James Tavernier led to an early goal for Sturm Graz, with Dimitri Lavalee's pass, Maurice Malone's control, and Tomi Horvat's finish sealing the opener in just seven minutes. The second goal, a calamitous error during a deep free-kick, saw the visitors exploit a high defensive line, leaving goalkeeper Jack Butland scrambling. Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton dismissed the mistakes as "schoolboy stuff," while Martin reiterated that the squad's inability to focus and adapt was the root cause.
Despite a late consolation from Djeidi Gassama, Rangers' response to the deficit was sluggish. Substitutions late in the second half, including moving Derek Cornelius to left-back, failed to stem the tide. "We were naive and found ourselves down at 2-0," Cornelius admitted, expressing frustration over the team's inconsistency. "There are moments where everyone is switched on, then it can switch—why? I don’t know."
Fans have grown increasingly vocal, with many accusing Martin of deflecting blame instead of addressing systemic issues. Social media reactions ranged from calls for his resignation to accusations of disconnection between the manager and players. "Martin has to go before this gets any worse," one supporter wrote. "Defending is part of football—clearly, he doesn’t coach it."
With just five wins in 16 games and ongoing protests at Ibrox, the question remains: how long can Rangers endure this cycle of excuses? The team’s failure to capitalize on opportunities, both domestically and in Europe, has left fans disillusioned, demanding accountability and a tangible turnaround.
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