Rangers: Russell Martin’s mentality mantra soundtracks another loss

Besides the small step on the road to recovery that was the Scottish Premiership win at Livingston at the weekend, Rangers haven’t managed to lose sight of the starting blocks.

In Austria, they had an opportunity to build a bit of momentum and make a case for their head coach, who remains under huge pressure.

Instead, a poor throw-in from James Tavernier was lofted forward by Dimitri Lavalee, controlled by Maurice Malone, and finished by Tomi Horvat. Seven minutes had elapsed.

If that was a defensive mishap, the second goal was a defensive calamity.

A high line at a deep free-kick was sliced open with one delightful daisy-cutter, and a scrambling Jack Butland was left blushing for a second time in the first half.

“Schoolboy stuff,” said former Rangers right-back Alan Hutton.

Two mistakes due to the Ibrox side’s mentality, according to Martin. Nothing to do with their set-up, system or style.

“The difference from the first half-hour to the next 60 minutes was too far apart really,” the head coach said. “It’s concentration, it’s mentality.

“I’m frustrated because we give away two poor goals, soft goals. We did so much work on them recently we were just not alive.

“We hurt ourselves because they didn’t create anything from open play. It’s hurtful and frustrating.”