No Quick Fix as Martin Tackles Ranger Troubles

New Ownership and Challenges for Rangers

Rangers have undergone a significant transformation this season with new ownership, a fresh head coach, and a nearly entirely new squad. However, the challenges of maintaining consistent performance on the pitch remain. Russell Martin, the former Southampton manager now in charge of Rangers, has emphasized that there is no quick fix to the club’s struggles, especially after recent performances that have left fans frustrated.

Despite the team remaining unbeaten in five games under Martin's leadership, two of those results have been draws in the opening matches of the Scottish Premiership. This has not met the expectations of a side aiming to compete with reigning champions Celtic for the title. While the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifying was celebrated, the same players were booed off the field after escaping defeat against Dundee, a result that highlights the inconsistency in their play.

Martin acknowledges that these issues are not new and that changing the culture of the club will take time. He admitted that he should have made some changes during the match against Dundee to inject more energy into the team. “In hindsight, I should've made some changes,” he said. “We're learning about the group all the time, so that's a lesson learnt today.”

A Familiar Pattern

The pattern of inconsistency has been seen before under previous managers, including Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson. The News Pulse pundit described the team as "Jekyll and Hyde," noting that they often perform well in European competitions but struggle domestically. Martin believes this needs to change quickly, but he also recognizes that it won’t happen overnight.

“The ownership has changed, there's a new coaching staff, there's new players, there's hopefully a new way of behaving in the training ground,” Martin explained. “But it's not a quick fix. It's about really changing the culture and the feel of the club day in and day out.”

Fan Frustration and Managerial Adjustments

Fans have shown frustration with the lack of success, and Martin understands their disappointment. “I didn't get too high on Tuesday, so we're not going to get too low today,” he said. Despite the draw against Dundee, Martin praised the team's response when they were down to 10 men and felt that the mentality needed to be present from the first kick of the match.

James Tavernier, the captain, played a crucial role in rescuing the team with a late penalty, while Nicolas Raskin provided valuable support when he came on. However, Nasser Djiga is set to miss the Old Firm derby due to suspension after receiving a red card in the match against Dundee.

Balancing Egos and Performance

Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds commented on the need for players to put their egos aside and focus on the game. However, he also suggested that top players naturally bring egos with them. The team’s performance against Dundee, where they had to rely on a penalty to secure a draw, raised questions about their consistency.

Gordon Smith noted that the team performed better when they were down to 10 men and expressed confusion over why they could not replicate their European form in domestic matches. This conundrum is not unique to Martin, as previous managers have faced similar challenges.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Martin will need to address these inconsistencies and build a more cohesive team. With matches coming thick and fast, the pressure on the squad will only increase. The challenge for Martin and his players is to maintain the momentum from European success and translate it into consistent performances in the league.

With new ownership and a fresh approach, the hope is that Rangers can finally break the cycle of inconsistency and return to the top of Scottish football.