Rangers in the Champions League: Russell Martin ‘proud’ of players in defeat

“They all displayed courage in the second half. We recovered properly and we hurt them as much as they hurt us. That goal changes everything.

“The tie is still open. We have the privilege of hunting and chasing. We go in as underdogs – I’ll enjoy that and I think the players will as well.”

Judging by the furious reaction of the Rangers supporters during the mortifying opening quarter of the game, again when the half time whistle blew, then at the end of the game, not all will agree with Martin’s assessment.

When asked about the tumult of anger that rolled down from the Ibrox stands, the head coach acknowledged that the fans were entitled to react as they did, but cautioned that “the precursor to change is pain”.

“I understand the intensity and emotion here but it can’t change the way we work and become a weight around the players necks,” Martin said.

“There has been fragility in this club for a long, long time. The club has bounced around different plans and its been hinged on emotions. Now we have owners that understand where the club has been, where’s it at, and where’s it going.

“I came to this club knowing it wasn’t going to be easy or a quick fix. I hope we’ll be judged in May and by then we’ll be in a really good place and winning stuff.

“There are loads for us to be excited about moving forward. We have to go next week and really attack it.”