Rangers' Russell Martin Demands More Relentless Performance Following Plzen Defeat

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Russell Martin expressed a desire for Rangers to adopt a more relentless approach following their Champions League second-leg loss to Viktoria Plzen. Despite the 2-1 defeat in the away leg, Rangers advanced with a 4-2 aggregate win, setting up a playoff against Club Brugge for a spot in the league phase. Jack Butland's goalkeeping was crucial, making eight saves to thwart Plzen's comeback attempts.

Martin acknowledged his team's advancement but stressed the need for improvement. "We have to be really relentless," he told RangersTV. He expressed disappointment with both the performance and result, noting areas that require refinement. Martin highlighted the need for cleaner ball handling and better execution in key moments.

The match statistics revealed Plzen's dominance with an expected goals (xG) of 3.31 compared to Rangers' 1.1, underscoring the challenges faced at Doosan Arena. Martin pointed out self-inflicted errors that gave Plzen too many opportunities. He emphasized the importance of capitalizing on advantageous positions around the opponent's box.

Jack Butland's performance was pivotal, as he made numerous saves to keep Rangers in contention. Martin praised Butland's decision-making, especially when playing with his feet, despite having more work than anticipated. "Jack Butland has been amazing," Martin remarked, acknowledging his contributions in both legs of the tie.

Reflecting on their pre-season encounter with Club Brugge, where Rangers came back from two goals down to draw 2-2, Martin stressed the need for improvement in upcoming matches. He noted that while there were positive moments similar to those in the first leg against Plzen, they failed to capitalize on them effectively.

Looking Ahead to Club Brugge

Martin is aware of the challenge posed by Club Brugge and insists on better performances moving forward. "We had an interesting game against them in pre-season," he said, emphasizing familiarity between the teams. The coach is determined not to repeat mistakes from the second-leg performance against Plzen.

The upcoming clash with Club Brugge presents an opportunity for Rangers to demonstrate growth and resilience. With lessons learned from their recent encounters, Martin aims for a more consistent and effective display as they vie for a place in the Champions League league phase.