Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu heaped more pressure on Russell Martin after shooting down ten-man Rangers in last night’s Europa League clash at Ibrox.
The scoreline could have been much worse for the home side — who had Mohamed Diomande sent off for a reckless challenge in the 41st minute — with Oh having a penalty saved by Jack Butland on the stroke of half-time having already squandered a number of fine chances.
The South Korean made amends in the 55th minute, firing beyond Butland before having another effort ruled out for offside.
Rangers boss Martin hoped he had turned a corner after last weekend’s win over Hibs, but there were more boos after this defeat and his position remains under massive scrutiny.
Insisting the match turned on Diomande’s dismissal, Martin said: ‘The red card changed the game a lot. I was looking forward to getting to half-time and getting a few key points across.
‘We didn’t look after the ball anywhere near well enough. We defended too deep, but I thought we rode that out. We looked like we were getting a bit of control back but then Diomande gets sent off.
Russell Martin’s poor start to life as Rangers manager continued with defeat against Genk
The manager admitted Mohamed Diomande’s sending off before half-time proved costly
Oh Hyeon-Gyu passed up a host of chances to break the deadlock before finally finding the net
‘I asked them to be really aggressive after the sending off, not just try and defend for 45 minutes.
‘Genk didn’t cut us open, we weren’t defending relentlessly. I’m frustrated, the red card changed a lot, but I’m proud of the players in the second half.’
Martin’s team, watched by chairman Andrew Cavenagh, were undoubtedly let down by midfielder Diomande’s moment of madness. But Genk, who are 14th in Belgium’s 16-team top flight after eight games, had the better chances throughout.
Rangers were frustrated on several occasions, not least when Slovenian referee Matej Jug was told to look at a potential handball when the match was still goalless, only to rule out a penalty for the home team after insisting James Tavernier had pushed his opponent beforehand.
John Souttar also had what looked like a certain goal denied by a remarkable clearance from Genk skipper Bryan Heynen in the first half.
Martin said: ‘I think we should have had a penalty (for handball). I don’t think Tavernier affects the defender. I thought when the referee went to the screen he was giving a penalty to us.
‘The longer the game goes on, if we actually dominate the ball, we create a lot more. We’ll get there.
‘We had ten men for a long time. I think Jack (Butland) only had two saves to make in the second half. I thought we had some really good performances.’
James Tavernier was adamant his side should have been awarded a first-half penalty
Martin has no doubt he has what it takes to win over the doubters within the Rangers support
Asked what makes him believe Rangers can still turn things around under his stewardship, Martin added: ‘The way the players train, the way they stuck together in the second half, the feeling in the training ground.
‘I can’t control anything outside of that. We will work, learn from tonight, but also have a bit of perspective, then get ready to prepare and perform and win on Saturday.’
On whether he retains the backing of the club hierarchy, he replied: ‘I don’t think the game tonight, when we were down to ten men for so long, changes that. I feel nothing but support from them.’
Defeat has turned the heat up again, with empty seats around Ibrox telling their own story, and Rangers legend Ally McCoist told TNT Sports the club’s recovery looks ‘miles off’ under Martin.
He said: ‘You can get all the backing you like from owners and directors but if the people that pay money to come into the stadium don’t continue to, then something has to give. I’m desperate for Russell Martin to turn things around but it looks miles off it.
‘The manager is in big trouble. Something has to change, and dramatically. This can’t go on for long. If people around the stadium don’t support you, there’s no point.’
