Rangers' Mentality Under Scrutiny After Europa League Defeat Rangers' struggles continued on Thursday night with a 2-1 Europa League defeat away to Sturm Graz, prompting renewed questions about the team's mentality and the future of head coach Russell Martin. The loss, characterised by defensive errors and a perceived lack of focus, has amplified existing concerns about the team's consistency and ability to perform under pressure.

Déjà Vu at Ibrox: Familiar Problems Plague Rangers Martin's post-match comments, echoing those made after the opening-day draw against Motherwell two months prior, have drawn criticism. He again attributed the defeat to a "mentality problem," rather than technical or tactical deficiencies. This diagnosis, while perhaps containing a kernel of truth, has been met with increasing scepticism from fans and pundits alike, who point to a pattern of recurring errors and underwhelming performances.

The defeat in Austria highlighted familiar failings. Sturm Graz capitalized on defensive lapses to establish a commanding lead, leaving Rangers with an uphill battle. While Djeidi Gassama pulled a goal back in the second half, it proved insufficient to salvage a result, leaving Rangers with five wins in their last 16 games.

Defensive Errors Costly in Austria Sturm Graz's goals exposed fundamental weaknesses in the Rangers defence. Tomi Horvat's opener stemmed from a poor throw-in and subsequent defensive hesitation, while the second goal, attributed to Jack Butland's scrambling, resulted from a high defensive line being breached by a simple through ball.

Former Rangers right-back Alan Hutton described the defending as "schoolboy stuff," further amplifying the criticism directed at the team's organisation and concentration. Martin, however, remained steadfast in his assessment, insisting that the goals were a consequence of mental lapses rather than systemic issues. "We hurt ourselves because they didn't create anything from open play," he stated.

Expert Analysis: Is Mentality the Only Issue? Former Scottish international Ally McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, offered a more nuanced perspective: "While mentality undoubtedly plays a role, to solely attribute these defeats to a lack of mental fortitude is an oversimplification. Rangers are struggling tactically, particularly in defence. The high line, for example, is being consistently exposed. Martin needs to address the tactical shortcomings as well as the psychological ones."

McCoist added: "The manager needs to take some responsibility. It's one thing to identify a problem, it's another to fix it. Are the training sessions designed to address these specific defensive issues? Are the players being given the correct instructions and guidance? These are questions that need to be answered."

Cornelius's Frustration: "I Don't Know What the Problem Is" Defender Derek Cornelius's post-match interview with TNT Sports reflected the uncertainty within the squad. "We didn't start well, I don't know what the problem is. It seems like there's moments where everyone is switched on and tuned in and then it can switch, I don't know why," he admitted. "We can't be accepting of that. We can't be like this. We need to react."

Fan Discontent Grows The defeat has further fuelled fan discontent, with many taking to social media to express their frustration and call for change. Comments ranged from accusations of delusion on Martin's part to concerns about a disconnect between the manager and the players. One fan wrote, "Martin has to go before this is allowed to get any worse. I don't even get surprised anymore at Rangers losing, its becoming the norm."

Historical Context: Rangers' European Struggles Rangers' recent European form represents a dip from their run to the Europa League final in 2022. While that campaign provided a significant financial boost and raised the club's profile, it also highlighted the importance of consistency and defensive solidity in continental competition. The current struggles, in contrast, underscore the challenges of maintaining a high level of performance across multiple competitions and the potential consequences of failing to address underlying weaknesses.

Looking Ahead: Pressure Mounts on Martin The pressure is now firmly on Russell Martin to address the issues plaguing Rangers. While he has identified mentality as a key factor, a more comprehensive approach, encompassing tactical adjustments and improved defensive organisation, is needed to turn the team's fortunes around. Failure to do so could lead to further scrutiny and ultimately jeopardize his position as head coach.