Rangers secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Livingston on Sunday, their first league win of the season, thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Max Aarons. The win should have been a moment of celebration for the Light Blues, who had taken an early lead through captain James Tavernier, only to see Livingston equalise midway through the match.
Yet, even with the late triumph, the atmosphere around the club remains tense, with head coach Russell Martin and his squad still facing criticism from sections of the fanbase who made their feelings towards the head coach clear chanting against him even after the winner.
Martin, who has overseen a period of significant change at Ibrox, but also the club’s worst start in 50 years domestically, acknowledged the challenges that come with scrutiny, particularly after European disappointments and domestic setbacks earlier this season.
Speaking ahead of his side’s away match to Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League, he emphasised the importance of focusing on the players rather than the noise from outside the club: "I walk straight down the tunnel on Sunday because I want the players to enjoy it. They deserve to enjoy it. They played really well in the first half especially and we deserved to win the game."
Despite the 2-1 scoreline, some supporters expressed frustration, with social media amplifying the intensity of criticism. Martin highlighted the extremes of fan reactions, noting that the negative energy can spill over into the stands: "The only thing I find sad is when I see the kids standing next to their dads, sticking their fingers up at me and swearing at me. I don't feel particularly sad about it for me, I just feel like it's a cycle to go on and I don’t understand it.”
Yet, the manager remains resolute in his approach, insisting that winning matches is the ultimate response to criticism. Martin emphasised the collective effort within the club, from the players to the coaching staff, as the driving force behind progress: "I have a fierce belief in the people I work with and we just have to keep working and I really believe in what we are doing."
Midfielder Connor Barron echoed that sentiment, praising the squad’s focus and resilience. He spoke about the importance of staying disciplined and building momentum from one game to the next: "We should have had the game put to bed earlier, but it dragged on and we stayed together and now it's just about continuing that momentum we've got.
"You've got to be wary as a player all the time and we've just got to stay disciplined and do our jobs on the pitch."
For Rangers, the narrative is clear: while fan expectations remain high and criticism continues to mount, the team’s priority is performance on the pitch. Sunday’s last-minute winner may have provided temporary relief, but the squad and management know that consistency is the only way to earn back any confidence from supporters.
As Rangers prepare for their upcoming Europa League clash against Sturm Graz, the challenge will be not only to secure results but also to prove they can handle the pressure from the stands. For Martin and his players, it is now about putting their words into action on the pitch on a consistent basis.