Rangers’ struggles under Russell Martin deepened on Thursday night as the Ibrox side suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat away to Sturm Graz in the Europa League.
The Scottish giants went into the clash desperate for a response after a string of underwhelming results, but once again fell short as defensive lapses and a lack of composure in attack proved costly.
Sturm Graz capitalised on Rangers’ sluggish start, taking the lead through a well-worked move that exposed Martin’s backline. Although the visitors briefly rallied and found an equaliser, their momentum quickly faded and the Austrian side restored their advantage before half-time.
Rangers pushed for a way back into the game in the second half, but their efforts lacked conviction, with missed chances and poor decision-making in the final third summing up another frustrating evening.
The result piles even more pressure on Martin, whose reign has already been met with growing criticism following a dismal start to the season. His side’s inconsistency in Europe now mirrors their domestic woes, and the defeat in Graz leaves serious questions over both his tactics and his ability to inspire a turnaround.
For a club of Rangers’ stature, expectations in Europe are always high. Instead, Thursday night only served as another reminder of how far they have fallen — and how precarious Martin’s position has become.
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