Sturm Graz v Rangers: Martin's troubles continue in 2-1 Europa League defeat

Rangers showed fighting spirit against Sturm Graz, but first-half defensive lapses resulted in a second Europa League defeat in eight days to keep under-fire boss Russell Martin on the back foot.

The Light Blues lost 1-0 to Belgian side Genk in their opening league phase game at Ibrox last Thursday night and went down 2-1 at the Merkur Arena.

Slovenia striker Tomi Horvat scored after just seven minutes and, after Rangers forward Youssef Chermiti hit the woodwork, Georgia midfielder Otar Kiteishvili drove in a second in the 35th minute and Jurgen Saumel’s side were good for their lead.

However, Gers wide man Djeidi Gassama made it 2-1 four minutes after the break with a terrific strike and offered hope for the Govan outfit, but the comeback could not be completed and, after just five wins in 16 games, the pressure remains firmly on Martin.

The drama surrounding the Ibrox club this season continued this week with a report that sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s 26-year-old son, Robbie, head of technical scouting at Norwich, is set to join Rangers as the club’s new head of recruitment.

Martin threw his weight behind the move, which was heavily criticised by many already-disgruntled Gers fans, who travelled to Austria looking to see their side build on the last-gasp win at Livingston on Sunday.

Portuguese striker Chermiti, the £8million-plus signing from Everton, replaced Bojan Miovski and the compact 15,000-capacity stadium reverberated with noise with as both teams tried to settle on a poor pitch, which cut up from the start.

It was the home side who took an early lead after Rangers conceded possession from a throw-in by their skipper James Tavernier.

Maurice Malone raced into the Gers box and squared to Torvat, who took a touch before driving the ball past goalkeeper Jack Butland, who might have done better.

Minutes later, however, the Gers keeper made a crucial save from Belmin Beganovic, while at the other end Chermiti hit the bar with a header from a Gassama cross, then had an effort from close range and then a drive saved by a keeper Oliver Christensen.

On the half-hour mark Butland did well to parry a low drive from Torvat, but when Emanuel Aiwu’s driven free-kick from wide on the right caught out the Gers defence, Kiteishvili raced clear to beat the Ibrox number one with a confident finish.

Defender Max Aarons and Miovski replaced Oliver Antman and Jayden Meghoma for the start of the second half and Martin reshuffled his side.

The Gers boss got his reward when Gassama turned on to his right foot and drilled in a shot from 20 yards which sped past Christensen.

The Ibrox side stepped up the pace and Chermiti had a left-footed shot saved by Christensen, but in the 72nd minute Butland was again called into action to repel Horvart’s low drive from 14 yards.

The final stages were frantic.

Christensen made saves from Derek Cornelius and defender John Souttar, twice, and at the other end Butland blocked a shot from substitute Leon Grgic before Horvat’s effort was stopped by Aarons.