Martin equals unwanted record as Rangers fear nine point deficit

Another game, more dropped points. Another game, more questions than answers. Rangers fans have seen this movie before, but never at this stage of the season. This was a game that St Mirren could so easily have won.

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Jonah Ayunga capitalised on another Rangers defensive howler to give Stephen Robinson's side the lead. It was one that they merited half an hour in.

Rangers huffed and puffed but looked more likely to concede than score. That was before Findlay Curtis scored just minutes after his introduction to awake the away end from its slumber.

Fan reaction shows the scale of Martin's challenge

Martin kept with his smart and casual attire to ensure that he wasn’t sweating on the touchline. This was another performance and result that should have him hot under the collar, though. Martin would, of course, not face questions about his choice of attire if his side had been doing the business on the park. But that is life as Rangers manager and every detail is dissected when things are going badly.

Right now, they are going very, very badly for Martin. Three Premiership matches without a win leaves Rangers trailing behind Celtic. An Old Firm defeat next week would take the gap to ten and end the title race as a contest. And all before the calendar has flipped into September.

The reaction of the away end told its own story. Whatever Martin is seeing, the supporters are not. And that is a problem for the head coach. Fans need something to buy in to, something to believe in.

Three points from three Premiership fixtures is not it. Not by a long shot. Martin is the first Rangers boss since John Greig in 1978 to fail to win his first hat-trick of league matches. It is safe to say that he doesn't have the rapport with the fans that The Greatest Ever Ranger had to fall back on. 

More concerns in the final third

The move from Oliver Antman six minutes in offered hope for Rangers. The Finnish forward collected the ball in the right channel, was direct in his run and saw a decent strike from distance saved. Was it a sign of intent from Martin’s side? Well, no.

It was one of the few moments from Rangers in the first half. Lyall Cameron should have converted after meeting a Jayden Meghoma cross. After St Mirren took the lead, Thelo Aasgaard was superbly denied by Shamal George and Djeidi Gassama saw his effort saved.

Once again, Rangers were ponderous and pedestrian. There was nothing from middle to front. Aasgaard was not culpable and Gassama was the most likely creator. Antman didn’t offer enough and Joe Rothwell and Cameron were virtual spectators as St Mirren ran the show.

Antman didn’t survive the half-time changes as Danilo was introduced to lead the line and Mikey Moore went left as Gassama switched flanks.

It didn’t work. It rarely has looked like working. St Mirren were solid in their shape and Rangers were searching for inspiration.

Curtis provided it off the bench. The ball broke to him at the edge of the area and his strike was powerful and perfectly placed. With 15 minutes remaining, Rangers were level. Another Curtis strike was saved just seconds later. There was no winner.

Saints should have gone on to win

The goal was so simple to score. It should have been so simple to defend against. This Rangers back line don’t do the basics, though. Once again, their weaknesses were exposed as Ayunga gave the Buddies the lead half an hour in. One pass from Mikael Mandron beat John Souttar and Manny Fernandez. The Scotland internationalist was left trailing and Ayunga was cool and collected as he finished well.

The challenge of matching the Mandron and Ayunga was always going to be a difficult one for Fernandez as he came into the side. It is a combination that has pace and power, with a bit of guile and nous thrown in for good measure. It was one that got the better of both Rangers defenders in the build-up to the opening goal. Souttar tracked back forlornly after Fernandez was caught badly out of possession.

St Mirren had looked the likelier to score. Ayunga was denied by Nicolas Raskin after he outmuscled Souttar in the opening stages. Alex Gogic had a header saved, Kylian Philipps was frustrated with a tame effort and Mandron couldn’t find the target after getting the better of Max Aarons at the back post.

The chances continued to arrive after the break. Jack Butland saved low from Ayunga and a Mandron effort took a deflection to send it wide of target. A second goal would have ended this one as a contest.

It didn't arrive before Rangers equalised but could have done so in the closing stages. Butland made a terrific save to tip over an Alex Gogic header. St Mirren had to settle for a point.

Midfield outfought and outclassed

This was another afternoon that raised questions about just what Rothwell is supposed to be bringing to this team. Quite simply, he does not look like the player that supporters thought they were getting on the back of impressive campaigns in the Championship.

Rothwell was supposed to be the man that made Rangers tick, the one that knew Martin’s system inside out and could dictate play from the middle of the pitch. He has looked leggy getting around the pitch and too takes the safe, often backwards, option too often.

He was sold as the No.6 that this side have needed for so long. That role only lasted a couple of weeks. Raskin was the man that took that place once again here. Rothwell operated a line up alongside Cameron and both were fortunate to see the second half. The lack of composure and quality on the ball was alarming. Rothwell, in particular, was almost anonymous.

This was the ninth competitive fixture of the season and the sixth different combination Martin has started with in the midfield three. To say he is still searching for the right balance is an understatement. The form of Rothwell must be a huge concern.

The Englishman was replaced by Curtis with 15 minutes remaining. By that stage, Martin was just throwing players at the pitch and seeing what worked. It was hit and hope stuff all over the park as Rangers once again lacked any sort of control.

Aasgaard starts as false No.9

The Rangers Review revealed on Saturday that an arrival at No.9 is one of the priorities for the recruitment team heading into the final week of business. A loan move for Bojan Miovski, the former Aberdeen striker, is being worked on at present. The Rangers Review understands that Everton forward Youssef Chermiti is also a target as Martin looks to add more firepower to his team.

The team selection in Paisley highlighted that requirement. Cyriel Dessers again missed out through injury, while Hamza Igamane was not deemed fit enough to start. Danilo dropped to the bench as Aasgaard was given the responsibility of leading the line.

It is a role that Aasgaard played four times during his time with St Mirren. Martin referenced that experience, albeit limited, pre-match and spoke about Aasgaard bringing a physical presence.

There were times when Martin’s words were seen with actions. Aasgaard showed strength to hold the ball up and had the quick feet to link the play. His first sight of goal came after 38 minutes but he couldn’t scramble the ball home from close range.

A shot that was dragged wide from distance was all he could muster in the second half. His afternoon was over after 65 minutes as Mohamed Diomande replaced him.