Rangers' rotten start to the season continues
Sturm Graz 2 - 1 Rangers
Rangers’ troubled start to the season deepened with a second successive Europa League defeat, this time against Austrian champions Sturm Graz.
Author | Mark Lee
Stadium | Merkur Arena
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| View from the away end |
A stoppage-time winner at Livingston on Sunday had finally given Russell Martin’s side their first Premiership victory at the seventh attempt, but any sense of momentum was quickly undone by Tomi Horvat’s early strike.
Rangers contributed to their own downfall once again. James Tavernier’s careless throw-in deep inside his own half was punished swiftly, the ball worked back and fired beyond the uncertain Jack Butland.
The defence as a whole was culpable for the second. A precise free-kick sliced through a static backline and Otar Kiteishvili, the Georgian international, finished decisively before half-time.
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If the night looked grim, it was not entirely without response. Already beaten at home by Genk on matchday one, Rangers at least showed improvement after the break. Djeidi Gassama, often their only spark, lashed in a reply and chances followed for Youssef Chermiti, Nico Raskin and John Souttar. Yet Graz, themselves beaten by Midtjylland last week, held firm.
It was ultimately too little, too late. Martin has now overseen just five wins in 16 games across all competitions, and Rangers’ European ambitions are slipping fast.
Still not good enough despite an improved performance
Europe has so often been Rangers’ sanctuary. Now it mirrors the pain of their domestic struggles. They entered the season aiming for the Champions League. Now even the Europa League looks an uncomfortable challenge. Neither Genk nor Graz are among the elite of the competition, as Genk’s defeat to Ferencváros underlined, yet Rangers found themselves floundering in Austria.
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| Sturm Graz pre-match tifo |
The first goal was one to make fans wince. The second only compounded the embarrassment. It marked the 23rd successive away game in which Rangers have conceded, a record that surpasses a run from the Victorian era.
There was improvement after half-time, but it came only once the damage was done. When Martin’s side sought to chase the game by abandoning structure, they were left exposed again. Stronger opponents than Graz will punish them more ruthlessly.
And stronger opponents are on the horizon. Braga, Porto and Roma await, and Rangers’ hopes of progressing already look to be receding.
