Rangers’ latest European defeat against Sturm Graz has once again highlighted the club’s ongoing struggles this season.
Despite flashes of promise, several underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving fans frustrated and questioning the direction under Russell Martin.
Here are five key takeaways:
Fightback too late once again
Rangers continue to struggle with consistency. While moments of quality appear during matches, the team rarely sustains intensity for a full 90 minutes. This lack of cohesion and focus leaves gaps that opponents are quick to exploit.
The second half was a huge improvement, but once again Rangers left themselves too much to do after a poor start.
Defence Still a Shambles
The backline remains a glaring weakness. Mistakes have been costly, and the latest result saw Rangers match a historic low: 22 away games without a clean sheet, equalling a 130-year-old record.
Defensive frailty has become a recurring theme, with errors from key players compounding the problem. The second goal from the Austrian’s a disaster class of errors and Jack Butland and John Souttar both not covering themselves in glory at Hovart’s opener.
Gassama Remains a Bright Spark
In an otherwise underwhelming performance, Djeidi Gassama continues to impress.
The French winger provides creativity, pace, and an attacking threat that has been largely absent elsewhere in the team. He remains one of the few players consistently delivering in Europe this season.
He continued his excellent record of scoring in Europe with his second half strike, cutting inside and scoring at the near post for his fifth European goal of the season.
Martin Abandons Tactics Again
Martin’s approach has been questioned repeatedly this season, and in moments of desperation, he has abandoned his preferred tactical style despite his previous dedication to his style of play.
Once again he threw players forward en masse, bringing on three recognised centre forwards at the end in search of a goal which in turn exposes the defence and reflects a lack of balance and clarity in the manager’s game plan.
Thelo Aasgaard Continues to Disappoint
The Norwegian midfielder has struggled to make an impact, failing to influence games in the way required of him. His form remains a concern, particularly as Rangers seek creativity and control in midfield, far too often guilty of playing it safe and going backwards with no creative output.
Rangers’ current form under Martin suggests that significant improvements are needed if the team is to regain confidence and consistency. The upcoming domestic fixtures provide an opportunity to address these issues, but the European struggles underline the challenges that remain.