Martin confident he retains support from Rangers board despite Europa League loss

Russell Martin believes he nonetheless has the assist of the Rangers board regardless of their stuttering begin to the season persevering with with a 1-0 loss to Genk of their Europa League opener.

Rangers didn’t construct on a shiny begin and got a mountain to climb after Mohamed Diomande was proven a straight crimson card 41 minutes in.

Jack Butland noticed an Oh Hyeon-Gyu penalty on the stroke of half-time, however the former Celtic striker netted the winner 55 minutes in after the hosts’ defence was lower open.

Rangers have received simply 4 of their 14 matches throughout all competitions this season (D5 L5), with this their fewest wins at this stage of a season of their historical past. Their 5 losses are additionally their most defeats at this stage since 1994-95 (misplaced six of first 14).

Boos rang out on the full-time whistle at Ibrox following the defeat, by which Oh additionally had a second objective disallowed for offside, however Martin says nothing has modified regardless of this loss.

“I don’t suppose this recreation, once we had been right down to 10 males for therefore lengthy, adjustments that [support]Martin mentioned in his media convention. “I really feel nothing however assist from them.

“We’ll work, be taught from [the loss] but in addition have a little bit of perspective, then prepare to organize and carry out and win on Sunday.”

Rangers had been robust within the first half, having six photographs, two of which had been on the right track, although they solely accrued 0.6 anticipated objectives (xG) regardless of John Souttar having a header cleared off the road.

Regardless of piling on some late stress, Rangers didn’t have a shot on Hendrik Van Crombrugge’s objective within the second half, although Martin famous he was thrilled by their exhibiting with 10 males.

“The crimson card modified the sport loads,” he added. “I used to be wanting ahead to attending to half-time and getting a couple of key factors throughout.

“I requested them to be actually aggressive after the sending off, not simply attempt to defend for 45 minutes. Genk didn’t lower us open; we weren’t defending relentlessly. I’m annoyed, the crimson card modified loads, however I’m happy with the gamers within the second half.

“The longer the sport goes on, if we truly dominate the ball, we create much more. We’ll get there.

“We had 10 males for a very long time. I believe Jack [Butland] solely had two saves to make within the second half. I assumed we had some actually good performances.”

Rangers conceded 3.4 anticipated objectives (xG) in opposition to Genk, with Oh’s missed penalty contributing loads to that, giving freely 18 photographs, although solely 4 had been on the right track.

Butland has now saved 5 of the final six penalties he has confronted in all competitions (excluding shootouts), together with each thus far in 2025-26.

His heroics weren’t sufficient for Rangers, although, and he lamented their sluggish begin to their Europa League marketing campaign.

“It’s clearly not the best way we needed to begin the competitors in any respect,” he mentioned.

“There have been some shiny moments to begin with, however clearly we’ve gone right down to 10, given away some alternatives, and in Europe, enjoying in opposition to groups with 10 males is tough.

“In saying that, we didn’t go underneath, we didn’t collapse, however not sufficient good things there. Not sufficient alternatives created, and in the end, we concede a poor objective in a recreation the place they didn’t threaten us all that a lot or lower us open.

“So it’s a chance we missed, for positive.”