Russell Martin pleaded for endurance from Rangers’ followers after his crew have been booed off following a 1-1 draw with Dundee, their second in two Scottish Premiership matches.
Martin’s reign obtained off to an underwhelming begin as Rangers drew 1-1 at Motherwell in his first home recreation on the helm final week, a consequence 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 crew have been jeered at full-time.
They now face the prospect of slipping 4 factors behind Celtic already, ought to Brendan Rodgers’ crew defeat Aberdeen on Sunday. Nonetheless, Martin is conscious there may be loads of soccer to be performed.
“Supporters are crucial folks at each soccer membership. So that they have each proper,” Martin informed Premier Sports activities when requested in regards to the jeers that sounded round Ibrox.
“However it’s a very lengthy season. This crew will develop. Hopefully the supporters may 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 blokes and what’s anticipated. We’ll get higher.
“I’m actually happy we didn’t get crushed. I do know that sounds destructive, however happening to 10 males so early within the recreation, then having a willingness to drive and try to win the sport, I loved that facet. However we’ve 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 crew that defeated Plzen so comprehensively on Tuesday.
“Hindsight is a stupendous factor, however after Tuesday, I most likely ought to have made some modifications and put some power into the crew,” Martin mentioned. “In order that’s my duty.
“However we lacked aggression in large moments. Set-plays particularly, which is disappointing, as a result of we’ve finished loads of work on them and did so effectively on Tuesday night time.
“There was positively a lethargy. It was disappointing and irritating. However we’re studying a lot in regards to 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 recreation is at St. Mirren, earlier than they shut out August with an Outdated Agency Derby at Ibrox, a fixture that might have already got big significance within the title race.