It was better, but not good enough. It was too little, too late. A second half improvement could not earn Rangers a second consecutive win as Russell Martin's side were beaten by Sturm Graz in the Europa League.
Graz were ahead inside six minutes as Tomi Horvat made the most of more dreadful defending. The second goal was even worse from Martin's viewpoint as a free-kick exposed Rangers and Otar Kiteishvili converted. Djeidi Gassama gave Rangers hope with a terrific strike just after the restart. It proved in vain.
Read more:
- Rangers and worrying ‘post-results reality’, Russell Martin’s 4/14 record
- Reputation gamble, Martin backing, anger and apathy - Assessing Cavenagh's big call
European reputation continues to suffer
The sound of Belinda Carlisle being played over the PA system would have evoked mixed emotions for the Rangers support. It was a reminder of happier times, of course. But a starker one about just how far Rangers – as a club and a team – have fallen of late. None of these players are being hailed as the best on earth right now.
The exit from the Champions League – even in such an embarrassing manner – was a blessing in disguise for Rangers. Can you image how this team under this head coach would get on against the best the continent has to offer? Genk and Graz are far, far from that level and have dispatched of Martin’s side in quick succession to leave them pointless and at the wrong end of another league table.
They are teams that Steven Gerrard’s side would have beaten routinely, opposition that Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have seen off with ease. Even Philippe Clement’s group would have expected to take six points from six. Now, Martin is looking at a fixture list and matches with Braga, Porto and Roma to come and fearing that qualification is already hanging by a thread.
The message from the Ultras section behind the goal to the right in this 15,000 capacity arena was ‘Come on boys do it again’ as they commemorated their victory over Rangers here a quarter of a century ago. The heroes on that night were Sergei Yuran and Gilbert Prilasnig as Dick Advocaat’s side were shocked in the Champions League and images of the pair were hoisted into the air as the section that had first roared into life some time before kick-off raised the decibel levels.
Just 90 minutes later, new names were written into Graz’s history. This was a win that was greeted as an upset and a shock in the home ranks. No supporter in red, white and blue was surprised.
Fans are let down again
It was two hours before kick-off and the Rangers end was only occupied by a couple of dozen supporters. A lone voice piped up with ‘Martin, Martin get to f***’. The chant didn’t spread on that occasion.
It did in the aftermath of the opening goal. It was largely drowned out by the home support but that chorus, and one of ‘Russell Martin, get out of our club’ was evident from an away end that was not full. Once again, those who had forked out their hard-earned cash to travel and support a side that don’t deserve the backing had been let down.
Martin addressed his reputation in the eyes of the fans and his relationship with them at his pre-match press conference. He is looking to carry the burden on his shoulders to take the weight off his players. On Sunday, for example, he took himself down the tunnel and let his players celebrate after the away crowd again turned on the head coach.
There is no doubt that the situation will take a toll, both individually and collectively. Martin is only human, after all, and he spoke about that side of it on Wednesday evening.
Asked for a message to those supporters, Martin acknowledged that his words would be futile and would not change the perception of him. He needed actions, he needed performances. Most importantly, he needed wins. Another match has come and gone. His record now stands at five wins from 16 matches.
Gassama the shining light
It was all very familiar. It was all very pointless. Rangers put time and effort into creating spaces and opportunities, only to fail to actually open teams up. It is possession for the sake of it, an approach that is as ineffective as it is mind-numbing.
Gassama was the bright spark in another uninspiring first half. It was the winger who injected some pace and impetus into Rangers. On the opposite flank, Oliver Antman never looked like beating his marker as he played it safe and inside every time he had the ball. Centrally, Thelo Aasgaard offered nothing as an attacking presence as he again operated too deep to have any meaningful impact in the areas he was recruited to be effective in.
A wild effort from Nico Raskin that was well over the target was the last attempt of the half for Rangers. It perhaps summed up how woeful and wasteful Martin’s side had been. It was so, so far away from being anywhere near acceptable.
The first throw of the dice were Max Aarons and Bojan Miovski. Aarons went to right-back, James Tavernier moved to centre-back and Derek Cornelius went to left-back. Miovski operated from the right of a front three with no impact.
Gassama was the man who gave Rangers hope with his fifth European goal for the club. He shifted the ball from the left flank and rifled a shot beyond Oliver Christensen, before turning to cajole the away support as they celebrated.
It sparked a period of improvement and encouragement for Rangers. This is not the first time that Martin’s side have looked better when their backs were against the wall. The 90 minute performance is still a long way off.
Christensen made a terrific stop from a Cornelius strike and John Souttar was close with a header before a shot was saved late on. Joe Rothwell had been followed on by Mikey Moore and Danilo. It was hope over expectation. It ended in defeat.
Rangers masters of their own downfall
The stat seemed almost unbelievable at first. Confirmation of its veracity summed up the issue for Rangers. Their last clean sheet away from home came in December’s win over Ross County.
Their attempt at a shut-out here lasted just six minutes as a record – a 23-match run - that dates back to 1897 was surpassed. As usual with this side, the goal that was conceded was so avoidable. Seconds after a Rangers throw, Horvat showed composure to collect a Maurice Malone cross and finish from six yards.
The second goal was well crafted by Graz but another moment that had to be seen to be believed from a Rangers perspective. A free-kick from Horvat had vision and was executed perfectly as a high defensive line was exposed by a single pass. Kiteishvili – the star man in the Austrian league as well as this side - dinked the ball beyond Jack Butland.
The keeper had early made a smart stop to deny Belmin Beganovic after he found space in the left channel. From the other side, Horvat was thwarted low by Butland. This was no smash and grab from the hosts, it was as comfortable as they could have wished for.
Chances were harder to come by after the break as Rangers raised their levels. Leon Grgic should have clinched the win but Butland smothered his strike after a Graz break.
The wait goes on for Chermiti
These are the occasions that made Alfredo Morelos as a Rangers striker and where Cyriel Dessers produced some of his finest showings wearing the No.9 jersey. The current holder of that shirt – one which comes with a considerable weight – will hope to follow in their footsteps.
Chermiti earned his first start for Martin’s side against Genk last week and endured a frustrating evening. Like any forward, he needs the ball to be in the right areas at the right times and it was hard to be too critical of him on that occasion given the service that he received.
The £8million fee that Rangers paid Everton will continue to be mentioned in relation to Chermiti until he pays it back in the eyes of the support. His evening got off to a dreadful start as he failed to hold the ball up from a throw-in and Graz made Rangers pay.
The Portuguese almost made amends a quarter of an hour in but a header from close range came back off the crossbar. A shot from a tight angle was saved by the keeper in the first half, while Christensen easily held Chermiti’s next strike after the break after he worked an opportunity on the edge of the area. He didn't have another one.
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