Rangers

Rangers defender Derek Cornelius says blaming Russell Martin and his coaching staff for poor results is the "easy way out" for the squad.

After conceding twice in the first half of Thursday night's Europa League tie at Sturm Graz, Rangers rallied and scored through Djeidi Gassama but could not find an equaliser in a frantic finish.

Cornelius, who shifted to left-back in the second half as Rangers chased the game, was frustrated at conceding from their own throw-in and a free-kick but insisted the players must take responsibility.

"It always seems we find ourselves open in different circumstances," the Canada international said.

"One week it's transitions, maybe another free-kicks or whatever and now it's off a throw-in.

"We keep having the same conversations as to why but I think it's a mentality. We showed in the second half we are capable of being a good group and team.

"But we try to pick our moment and in football it's two halves. We have to know that and perform in both halves."

Asked if the players are getting enough information from head coach Martin and his staff, Cornelius said the team have "clear instructions".

"It's an easy way out to say it's the manager or it's this or that reason," he added.

"Then you're deflecting responsibility away from yourself. On the pitch we need to perform and each individual needs to be better.

"We all have to look ourselves in the mirror and take responsibility for what's not going right. We can't look and point fingers now. Each individual has to be better themselves and that will ultimately help the group."

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We asked for your views after Rangers' 2-1 loss at Sturm Graz made it two defeats from two in the Europa League.

Here are some of your comments:

Louise: The story of our season is going to be punishment for poor defensive errors. We are too open and too easy to play against in every game. We looked decent enough at times going forward when we could keep the ball, but we don't have the quality to finish and fight back.

Steven: Another woeful Rangers performance. Russell Martin has had enough time for us to see progression. It simply isn't there. Oliver Antman could have been replaced by a traffic cone for what he brought to the game and Jayden Meghoma is a ghost. We let two half-decent left-backs leave and replaced them with a kid with no experience.

Matthew: It truly isn't personal, but Martin needs to go now. We lament to defeat after defeat, and the signs of promise are simply not promising enough. Players like Nico Raskin create quality, but he was doing that long before Russell Martin was here. Kevin Thelwell and Martin have been a disaster for Rangers, and the latter's standards for "brilliant football" are worrying. His reluctance to play Findlay Curtis and instead foster Mikey Moore, who has shown nowhere near the promise that Curtis has, is also extremely frustrating.

Steve: There is clearly a disconnect between the manager and the players. If they can't implement simple tactics such as how to correctly defend a throw-in then something is badly wrong. We've heard pretty much the same post-match analysis from the manager for many weeks now. Very little has changed.

Bob: It was a game of two halves. The first half was quite poor, the second half was really good when the three centre-forwards on the field create 17 chances, but we have to start putting the ball in the net very soon.

Gerry: Shot ourselves in the foot yet again, switched off twice and get punished for it and it could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for Jack Butland. We don't have the skill levels or the technical ability to play possession football out from the back. We're a car crash waiting to happen. Second half was better but still never really looked like turning it around.

Brian: On a positive note, Rangers made a few mistakes but I've seen an improvement on previous league performances and Butland had a star man performance. On a negative note, it was defensive mistakes again and another defeat.

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Former Scotland forward James McFadden on Sportsound

First half was disappointing, Rangers were the architects of their own downfall going behind.

They were far better in the second half, but why do you wait until it looks like the game is gone to make changes? The players look like the shackles are off when they change formation.

They look a danger to themselves at times when they have the ball. The goals the concede, and have conceded, have been really poor. Every goal is avoidable. It's frustrating to watch.

Ex-Rangers striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports

There has to be a serious level of criticism at Rangers defensively - as players and as a team.

Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson on BBC Scottish football podcast

Things start to spiral and we're getting to that point now where the negativity towards the manager is definitely having an effect on the players. There's no doubt about that.

The only way to turn that is to win football matches. I don't know if they've got the squad to win six, seven, eight in a row, but that's the only way they'll turn it.

It looks like Russell Martin has taken as much pressure as he can on himself to try and get it away from the players.

But I think at the moment it's coming back on the players as well now because it's got quite an extreme stage.

Ex-Rangers full-back Alan Hutton on TNT Sports

Rangers can't continue this way, if I'm honest. This is unheard of for a Rangers team. It's the manner of the way they are conceding. And when they go forward, the cohesion isn't quite there.

With Russell Martin under pressure after a poor start as Rangers head coach, Steven Gerrard is believed to be open to a return to Ibrox, the 45-year-old Englishman having been out of a job since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq in January. (Football Insider), external

Rafael Benitez attended Arsenal's Champions League win over Olympiacos as the 65-year-old managerial legend remains keen on a return to the dugout after leaving Celta Vigo and former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer thinks the Spaniard would be ideal for Celtic or Rangers. (Daily Record), external

Davide Ancelotti, who was beaten to the Rangers head coach job by Russell Martin, admits he cannot be sure of retaining his job with Botafogo as the 36-year-old Italian concedes they are out of the Brazilian title race after a disappointing first campaign in charge. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Rangers head coach Russell Martin says: "I'm frustrated because we give away two poor goals, soft goals. We did so much work on them recently we were just not alive.

"It's from our throw-in where we don't do what we work on. That's my frustration, the mentality of the group in the first half hour, then we have a mountain to climb. We came away in Europe and created so many chances, you shouldn't have nothing to show for it because you concede two such poor goals. We created a lot, we should have more to show for it.

"The difference in mentality from the first half hour to the next 60 minutes was too far apart really.

"It is concentration, it's mentality. It's mentality, it's not a technical or tactical problem.

"We work on our throw-ins a lot because they're a big part of the game. If we do what we work on a lot and it doesn't come off, that's acceptable but we don't, we just throw it down the line and then we're so open. We set up to do what we want to do and work on and then we don't do it."

On second goal: "At any level you play at you have to be alert and bright and they just didn't do it in that moment.

"We hurt ourselves tonight because they didn't create anything from open play. It's hurtful and frustrating.

"We played some really brilliant football and created some fantastic chances. the players run so hard for each other, that gives me energy. I'm not coming out here and blaming anyone but it's a fact, I think any player would say we hurt ourselves tonight.

"We're only two games in. I think you need four wins on average to qualify so there's plenty more time to do that."

Rangers' rotten start to the season continued with a second consecutive Europa League defeat, this time at the hands of Austrian champions Sturm Graz.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the game and result here.

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Is it time for Russell Martin to ditch his football philosophy as he seeks a winning run?

The Rangers head coach has been criticised for a lack of tactical flexibility in his tumultuous early tenure.

And as Martin targets his first back-to-back wins by securing three Europa League points at Sturm Graz tonight, former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell says it's time to set aside his principles.

Speaking on BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast, Bell said: "There have been certain times that I've watched the games, and I feel like they did need to adapt and change, whether it's tactical changes, whether formation or the personnel, but it's not happened.

"For me, it's all about winning games now. They need to get on a run, they need to get on a run straight from tonight, and they need to continue that on Sunday.

"So forget formations, forget tactics, it's all about winning. He needs to realise that as well, he needs to realise he needs to win this game tonight.

"I totally understand managers have principles and ways of playing, but ultimately, [when] you come under that amount of scrutiny and you're trying to get a bit of leeway with fans, you have to win.

"I don't think they're slick, I don't think the build-up's great and ultimately I don't think they get Rangers fans excited when they get into the final third.

"I don't think they ask enough questions of opposition defences."

Image source, Getty

• After their 1-0 defeat to Genk, Rangers could start a European campaign with two successive defeats for the sixth time, after 1963-64 (European Cup), 1996-97 (Champions League), 1997-98 (Uefa Cup), 2021-22 (Europa League), and 2022-23 (Champions League).

• Rangers have played Strum Graz twice before in European competition, winning one and losing one in the first group stage of the 2000-01 Champions League.

• Rangers have won five of their seven European games against Austrian sides (L2), although four of those victories came in Glasgow.

• Strum Graz have won each of their past three home European outings, last enjoying a longer run between July and October 2000 (five wins).

• Rangers have lost just two of their past nine away games in major European competitions (W4 D3), scoring two or more goals in each of these victories.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Graz

Image source, Getty

Jurgen Samuel's Sturm Graz clinched a second consecutive Austrian Bundesliga title last season, ending a decade of RB Salzburg dominance, while playing in the Champions League.

They struggled in Europe's elite competition, only beating RB Leipzig and Bojan Miovski's Girona 1-0 while losing their other six games and finishing 30th out of 36 teams.

Like Rangers, they were humbled in the play-off round this season as they sought to return to the big time, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Bodo/Glimt after a 5-0 drubbing in Norway.

Their squad looks weaker than last season too, with top scorer and former Motherwell loanee Mika Biereth departing for Monaco in January after netting 14 goals in half a season, while striker William Boving was also sold to Mainz before the summer deadline.

Scotland right-back Max Johnston, who played 65 times and won three trophies in his two seasons in Austria, joined Derby County.

Their key threat is Georgia international Otar Kiteishvili, who plays at the tip of Sturm's midfield diamond.

The playmaker grabbed 13 goals last season and has five so far this campaign, despite missing some time through injury and, more recently, personal reasons.

Kiteishvili was a doubt for this tie because he was back in Georgia but is set to be available again in a crucial game for Graz after they lost their opener 2-0 away to Hibernian's qualifying conquerors, Midtjylland.

Graz are currently two points behind Rapid Vienna, a side Dundee United took to penalties in the Conference League and one of two teams they have lost to domestically this season, as they seek a third title in a row.

Read more: Should Rangers fear Sturm in Europa League?

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Graz

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Rangers midfielder Connor Barron says he is ready to start games regularly after having to be "patient" at the start of the season.

The 23-year-old has started the last three Premiership games but before that was mainly on the bench.

Barron is now in line to play against Sturm Graz on Thursday in the Europa League and believes he is more settled in Russell Martin's team.

"I've obviously had to be patient," Barron said. "At the start of the season I wasn't playing as much as I would have liked to.

"It's a competitive team, competitive for places which is good. I think when I've come on I've done well.

"It's about me stamping myself into the team and make sure I stay there. The more games you get the more settled you are.

"I'm in a good place at the moment and I just need to keep that up."

Rangers striker Josh Gentles is confident he can score goals for Raith Rovers – and press his case for future first-team chances at Ibrox - after the on-loan 18-year-old made his debut for the Championship club as a substitute in their 3-0 win over Arbroath. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Graz

Rangers head coach Russell Martin says Thursday's Europa League tie against Sturm Graz is a chance to have a "brilliant night" after grabbing a first league win of the season.

The club shook off a disappointing defeat by Genk in the Europa League opener at Ibrox to snatch their maiden league triumph late on against Livington.

It was just Rangers' fifth victory of a difficult campaign and they are yet to win consecutive matches under the former Southampton boss.

"I'm looking forward to it, especially off the back of a good feeling in the group after Sunday," Martin said.

"I believe it's been a good week. We had a difficult evening last Thursday because we had a man sent off for a long period of time, so that wasn't easy, but they stuck together through that.

"Beat Hibs, played well, played better against Livingston, especially in the first half. Should have scored a few more goals.

"And then showed a lot of character and dug in together and showed a lot of spirit, a lot of fight and willingness to run. That's really increased over the last three or four weeks, that feeling of spirit in the group. So I've enjoyed that.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what they put on the pitch tomorrow."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Graz

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Head coach Russell Martin has been speaking to the media after Rangers arrived in Austria to play Sturm Graz in their second Europa League tie.

Here are the main points from Martin's press conference:

• Martin is not sure whether some of the criticism directed at him is over the top, but wished some fans "enjoyed the team winning" against Livingston for the sake of the players, rather than turning their criticism towards him.

• He says some of the most difficult parts of the fans' criticism has been watching children alongside their parents swearing at him.

• However, the Rangers boss stressed plenty of others have been supportive and fans are just desperate to see success.

• The hammering by Club Brugge "amplified" the criticism and the team "have not brought it back" since, however Martin feels the squad are now "starting to get back into the flow" and says the spirit and energy have increased in the last three or four games.

• Martin acknowledges the appointment of sporting director Kevin Thelwell's son, Robbie, as head of recruitment might not be popular with everyone, but says the club "needs change" and he is confident in the leadership at Ibrox.

• Ranger, who have no fresh injury concerns, have come to Graz to win and will not set up to avoid defeat.

Image source, SNS

Strum Graz manager Jurgen Samuel believes Rangers should expect their players to step up performances after the "serious" investment in the squad.

The Ibrox side have had an alarming start to the season with five losses in all competitions and only one win so far in the Scottish Premiership, despite spending £20m on rebuilding the squad.

But as supporters remain frustrated, Samuel insists it will take time for Russell Martin to find his feet at Ibrox.

Speaking prior to the Europa League tie against Rangers at the Merkur Arena on Thursday, he said: "There have been a lot of new players coming into the team.

"They have spent a serious amount of money on the squad and it is to be expected that when a new coach comes in it will take a bit of time.

"I think there is a big difference between facing them in the league and facing them in Europe, for example when they faced Panathinaikos they were able to get a convincing win.

"In the league their results haven't been as impressive but I watched their game against Livingston and they could have scored four or five goals.

"They have a lot of individual quality in the squad and when a new manager comes in, teams often require those players to step up with the individual quality they have.

"If you look at the players they have brought into the team, they have over 250 Premier League appearances within that squad.

"They will definitely compete at a good level in Europe but my squad, my team, our club, we competed in the Champions League last season so we have a lot of belief.

"There is a lot possible for us in this competition playing at our stadium and we are excited about that."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

To suggest the victory over Livingston was a much-needed one would be to greatly underplay the enormity of that result for Russell Martin and the club as a whole.

There really is no second-guessing the new Rangers owners so it may be too much to state that Max Aarons' late strike kept Martin in a job, but like the League Cup win over Hibs the previous weekend, it does allow him to point to small green shoots in what has been a desert-like landscape in the opening weeks of the season.

Rangers were good at times in the first half and but for a lack of ruthlessness and some good goalkeeping could have been out of sight by the interval.

But a malaise seemed to set in in the second period and Livingston were good value for their equaliser when it came. To be fair, Rangers, as disjointed as they looked among a variety of personnel and tactical changes, kept at it and showed character, something that has been distinctly lacking, to get that first league victory.

If the chants from the away support were anything to go by, it did little to persuade the Rangers fans that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of an unlikely turnaround.

A win away to Sturm Graz might help persuade some of the naysayers, but few would bet on that outcome. The performance at home to Genk, even before Mo Diomande's ridiculous red card, was feeble, despite Martin's assertion that some of his players performed well.

At the very least, his side need to produce a good display in Austria and make a real game of it and then produce another league victory, by hook or by crook, away to Falkirk before the international break.

Anything less and some big decisions might have to be taken before Dundee United go to Ibrox in a fortnight's time.

Livingston first team coach Marvin Bartley revealed "there was a bit of an argument" between the dugouts during Sunday's defeat by Rangers. (Clyde 1 via Sun, external)

Former Rangers defender Arthur Numan is still upset about the red card he received when the Ibrox side lost to Sturm Graz in 2000, with the sides facing each other again in Austria this week. (Record), external

Forward Josh Gentles, 18, is confident he can score goals on loan at Raith Rovers and press his case for game time at parent club Rangers. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Finally, we have a league win after six matches. But in true Rangers fashion we made it so hard for ourselves.

Going into Sunday's game at Livingston, especially after the poor display against Genk in the Europa League, I genuinely didn't see us winning it.

However, once we got into the match after the first 15 minutes or so, while the football was still slow and there were too many passes around the back, we played some decent football at times.

Connor Barron at six and Nico Raskin as the right number eight were very good. They helped get the ball quickly to the wingers, who were often left one v one.

The first goal was evidence of that and who else but James Tavernier being in the middle of the goal to finish it.

We should have been three up at half-time. Bojan Miovski was clean through but missed a chance you expect him to score nine times out of 10. And we were left cursing our luck when Tavernier's penalty was saved by the impressive Jerome Prior.

Russell Martin suggested the first half was the best domestic performance since he took over and the stats back that up as we created three clear-cut chances. Yes, it's still not a lot but it's a little improvement nonetheless.

The second half was like we were in a daze. We didn't start well and were punished. Yet again John Souttar was caught under a cross into our box, and Mo Sylla was left free to equalise.

But here is the thing with Martin. He's hellbent on his philosophy, but when things go wrong he is like me when I play Football Manager - throw on attackers in the hope something leads to a goal. Luckily for us, Max Aarons showed the finish of a striker and won the game in stoppage time.

However, this must be a turning point for this group of players.

Do I believe in Martin and his methods? No. But Rangers must keep winning. I keep saying it; it's all that matters.

Sturm Graz on Thursday should be a good chance to atone for Genk, and then we have Falkirk. Two wins will do. Try to go into the international break on a high.

We all need something to get behind because the results, performances and negativity up to now has been justified but exhausting.