More punishment for Rangers at the hand of a Belgian opponent. A familiar combination of self-destruction and the poor defending endemic under Russell Martin deepened Ibrox’s gloom. Reduced to 10 after Mohamed Diomande’s reckless first-half challenge, insult was added by Genk’s goal being scored by a former Celtic striker in Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Martin has talked of “results coming through difficulty” but could not have chosen to manage a club where poor results will cause more difficulty. Ibrox was undersold, just 38,000 present, though in attendance was Andrew Cavenagh, the chairman gladhanding fans before kick-off. The American co-owner’s scheduled visit to Glasgow has allowed him to experience what fans have been served during the new ownership’s choice of manager. “I’ll find out in about 15 minutes,” said Martin, asked if he had yet received Cavenagh’s verdict. “I look forward to seeing him.”
If Martin is aware of his unpopularity, he remains unbowed. “The only thing that’ll impact that is winning matches. Inside the building they’ve been amazing, and we just need to focus on that.”
The Europa League has returned European glory nights to Govan in recent years and has significant importance. If falling so far behind Celtic – and Hearts – damns Martin, Rangers’ return to the competition proved drab and underwhelming. Rangers have been scoreless in four from five matches, a poor combination with such lax defending. “If we don’t get an early goal, it’s difficult,” said defender John Souttar. “I understand the fans’ frustrations, we’re the exact same.”
Against clear evidence, Martin continues to preach positivity. “I don’t think we’re far,” he said. “We’ll learn and grow from tonight with 10 men for so long.”
Genk, no crack Belgian side like Brugge, Rangers’ Champions League qualifier tormentor, had seen out their win handily enough, Oh missing several chances, including a penalty.
The busy Slovenian referee, Matej Jug, also ruled the Rangers captain James Tavernier had pushed Joris Kayembe before the latter handled the ball. Diomande’s red card was less debatable, studs wildly raking Zakaria El Ouahdi. A third red card of Martin’s short reign highlights discipline as another area of concern. Diomande’s exit brought Ibrox to a muttering hush, though boos filled the air when Jug returned to the video screen to rule Tavernier had clipped Yaimar Medina for Genk’s penalty.
When Jack Butland saved Oh’s poor penalty just before half-time, home fans at last rocked the rafters. At the break Mikey Moore was withdrawn for another summer signing in Oliver Antman. Rangers began the second half with intention, Thelo Aasgaard slicing a half-chance wide but Butland still remained the busier keeper. He could only watch as an unmarked Oh diverted wide, inches out. Oh was not to be denied, slipping Jarne Steuckers’ pass beyond Butland, unprotected by an offside trap that more resembled an invitation to the Korean.
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“We should do better with the ball and look after it better,” said Martin. “But it’s about habits. It was fine when we were going well, then we have a wobble and the habits change a little bit. It all goes a bit default.”
Oh was denied his second, marginal offside curtailing touchline celebrations. An emptying Ibrox reflected the paying public’s lack of faith in a rescue mission that never materialised. It has been reported Martin has four games to save his job. One down, three to go?
