Rangers boss Russell Martin is calling for more “relentless” performances from his team following their Champions League scare against Viktoria Plzen. Despite a 2-1 loss in the away leg, Rangers managed to secure a spot in the playoff round against Club Brugge with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland was the hero of the night, making eight crucial saves to prevent a Plzen comeback. The stats showed Plzen had a 3.31 expected goals compared to Rangers’ 1.1, highlighting the need for improvement.
Martin acknowledged the need for better performances moving forward, stating, “We have to be really relentless.” Despite the win, he expressed disappointment in certain aspects of their game, particularly their ball control and defensive lapses.
Looking ahead to the playoff clash against Club Brugge, Martin emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and delivering a stronger performance. The team previously faced Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly, where they fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw.
With the upcoming challenge against Club Brugge, Martin stressed the need for consistency and execution in key moments. He highlighted the team’s potential but emphasized the importance of converting opportunities into goals.
As they prepare for the next round of Champions League qualifiers, Rangers will be looking to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses to secure a spot in the league phase of the competition.
