Russell Martin warned his Rangers players they will need to show a major improvement from Tuesday night’s performance in the Czech Republic if the £40million windfall for reaching the Champions League is not to slip through their hands.
The Ibrox men secured their place in the play-off round despite losing 2-1 in the second leg to Viktoria Plzen, with Martin admitting he was ‘annoyed’ by aspects of their display.
After a commanding win in Glasgow last week, his new-look side prevailed 4-2 on aggregate.
However, it proved to be a tense and nervous affair – with Rafiu Durosinmi and Svetozar Markovic scoring either side of Lyall Cameron’s first goal for Rangers – and Martin knows his team will have to be so much better when they face Club Brugge for a place in Europe’s elite tournament.
‘I’m disappointed we lost and I am disappointed with how many chances we gave up,’ said the Rangers boss. ‘I think so much of it comes from just being so loose with the ball.
‘We were playing against a team who had nothing to lose, who really committed so many numbers, four on the top line, with a heavy press.
Russell Martin tries to encourage his players during 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen
Lyall Cameron jumps for joy after scoring his first goal for Rangers in European clash
Manager Martin looks concerned as an injured Cyriel Dessers holds his wrist
‘We played through the press a lot in the first half, got into their final third a lot, then just turned the ball over. From our point of view, it was self-inflicted.
‘I said to the attacking guys: “It’s not fair on the guys at the back to take the ball under such big pressure, Jack (Butland), he’s finding you, it’s not fair that you just turn it over so cheaply”.
‘I don’t mind you losing the ball if you’re so aggressive, one v one, taking someone on, but the lack of care on the ball was too much.
‘We conceded a goal, and then we improved after the break and we scored, and then the level of intensity dropped.
‘It was like: “Okay, job’s done, we can relax”. You can never relax playing against anyone, especially for this football club.
‘So, again, another brilliant bit of learning and we’re through to the last qualifying round, but I am annoyed.
Rafiu Durosinmi, left, celebrates after scoring Viktoria Plzen’s first goal in a 2-1 win
Rangers still progressed 4-2 on aggregate after Lyall Cameron scored on the night
‘It’s my job to be annoyed at some of the stuff, and also, we’ll show them some of the really good stuff as well. But that wasn’t enough. There’s too many scary moments for the opposition that really we can do better with.’
Pressed on whether his team need to step it up against Club Brugge, who made it through to the play-off with a 4-2 aggregate win over RB Salzburg, Martin replied: ‘If we don’t show a bit more care and quality on the ball, I think we will struggle against anyone.
‘I don’t feel relieved, I’m just a little bit annoyed that we’ve lost, a bit disappointed with some of the bits of the performance.
‘When we do show care and quality on the ball, we look fantastic at times. But the gap between us being good with the ball and not being good is too big. That will come.
‘Brugge are a good team and it will be a tough game. We play at home first and we know that can be really powerful for us, so I’m excited.
‘We know the levels will go up at this stage of the competition, but we’re excited about it.
Manager Russell Martin says his team have to improve when they face Club Brugge in play-off
Rangers star Cyriel Dessers lands awkwardly during the match at the Doosan Arena
‘Jack (Butland) and the two centre-halves have been brilliant for us. They are the ones who have really had to take on so much information.
‘If everyone can match their level of intensity and mentality, we’ll be fine.’
Rangers fell behind to a first-half goal from Plzen striker Durosinmi, before Cameron scored shortly after the break.
That should have settled any nerves but this became a night fraught with nerves for Rangers as the home side spurned several good chances.
Plzen eventually scored a second through Markovic, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
There was concern in the second half when Cyriel Dessers went off with an injury and Martin confirmed the initial prognosis did not look great for the striker.
‘Yeah, it looks a nasty one, so he’s in a brace now,’ said the manager. ‘We’ll have to just wait and see over the next couple of days, have a scan and see.
‘We’ll keep our fingers crossed it’s not too bad for a big man.’
Meanwhile, it was announced that Rangers have withdrawn their request to postpone their Premiership clash with St Mirren in Paisley, which takes place between both legs of the play-off with Brugge.
The match will take place as planned on Sunday, August 24, with a midday kick-off and live coverage on Sky Sports.
