Russell Martin pleaded for persistence from Rangers’ followers after his group have been booed off following a 1-1 draw with Dundee, their second in two Scottish Premiership matches.
Martin’s reign bought off to an underwhelming begin as Rangers drew 1-1 at Motherwell in his first home sport on the helm final week, a outcome that prompted the previous Southampton boss to publicly criticise his gamers.
They responded with a 3-0 rout of Viktoria Plzen in a midweek Champions League qualifier, however have been then introduced crashing again to earth at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday.
Ryan Astley’s looping header gave Dundee a 51st-minute lead, and simply eight minutes later, Rangers noticed Wolves loanee Nasser Djiga despatched off for an expert foul, after John Souttar’s poor cross allowed Finlay Robertson in on aim.
Djeidi Gassama gained a late penalty, which James Tavernier transformed to spare Rangers’ blushes considerably, however after Cyriel Dessers noticed a possible winner disallowed for offside, the house group have been jeered at full-time.
They now face the prospect of slipping 4 factors behind Celtic already, ought to Brendan Rodgers’ group defeat Aberdeen on Sunday. Nevertheless, Martin is conscious there may be loads of soccer to be performed.
“Supporters are an important folks at each soccer membership. In order that they have each proper,” Martin advised Premier Sports activities when requested concerning the jeers that sounded round Ibrox.
“Nevertheless it’s a extremely lengthy season. This group will develop. Hopefully the supporters will be affected person with them and develop with them.
“It’s the highs and lows of this soccer membership. We’ll be actually according to the fellows and what’s anticipated. We’ll get higher.
“I’m actually happy we didn’t get crushed. I do know that sounds unfavorable, however happening to 10 males so early within the sport, then having a willingness to drive and attempt to win the sport, I loved that aspect. However we have now to play with that mentality on a regular basis.”
Martin then admitted he regretted not making modifications to his beginning lineup, having fielded the identical group that defeated Plzen so comprehensively on Tuesday.
“Hindsight is a wonderful factor, however after Tuesday, I in all probability ought to have made some modifications and put some power into the group,” Martin stated. “In order that’s my duty.
“However we lacked aggression in massive moments. Set-plays particularly, which is disappointing, as a result of we’ve carried out loads of work on them and did so effectively on Tuesday evening.
“There was positively a lethargy. It was disappointing and irritating. However we’re studying a lot concerning the guys they usually’re studying a lot as effectively.”
Rangers go to Czechia for the second leg of their third-round qualification tie on Tuesday, then host Alloa Athletic within the second spherical of the Scottish League Cup subsequent Saturday.
Their subsequent league sport is at St. Mirren, earlier than they shut out August with an Outdated Agency Derby at Ibrox, a fixture that might have already got large significance within the title race.
