Ally McCoist admits Rangers have ‘gone massively backwards’ under Russell Martin after their misery continued in the Europa League.
Ex-Southampton manager Martin has endured a dismal start to his tenure as Rangers boss, with the Scottish giants winning just one of their opening six league games.
Rangers have fared little better in Europe, losing their first two games to slip to 35th in the 36-strong Europa League table.
Martin’s latest defeat came at the hands of Austrian side Sturm Graz, who beat Rangers 2-1 on Thursday night.
Rangers legend McCoist was on TNT Sports commentary duty out in Austria and was alarmed by a number of aspects of the team’s performance.
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After the hosts doubled their lead before half-time with a simple free-kick routine, McCoist said: ‘Dear me, the level of defending is absolutely staggering.
‘The finish is excellent and it’s clear that Otar Kiteishvili is one of the best players on the pitch, if not the best. It’s a lovely goal but the line Rangers defend from is as high as you will see anywhere.
‘To concede a goal just from one straight pass is nothing short of staggering, it’s staggering. Yes the pass was good and the finish excellent, the level of defending not so.
‘It’s an incredible goal to concede. There has to be a serious level of criticism at Rangers defensively – as players and as a team.’
A significant section of the Rangers fan-base want Martin sacked and banners were displayed out in Austria saying as much.
McCoist says it is ‘glaringly obvious’ that Rangers are ‘going backwards’ under Martin and has questioned the decision to sack Giovanni van Bronckhorst back in 2022.
Rangers won the Scottish Cup and reached the Europa League under ex-Barcelona and Netherlands star Van Bronckhorst but he was sacked after just a year in charge.
Van Bronckhorst had a spell in charge of Besiktas following his departure from Rangers and is currently at Liverpool as one of Arne Slot’s assistant managers.
‘There’s an obvious question and that’s why do you get rid of Giovanni van Bronckhorst?’ said McCoist, who won ten Scottish league titles with Rangers.
‘Why get rid of a man who got you to a European final and loses on penalties? Why do you get rid of someone like that? It makes no sense whatsoever.
‘But they did and they’ve attempted to move on but it’s glaringly obvious, and you know how much it hurts me to say it, but they’ve gone backwards massively.’
Asked whether he saw any signs of progress in the defeat to Sturm Graz, McCoist added: ‘Second half yes but the bottom line is you can’t start the game needing to score three goals.
‘The defending and the performance in the first half wasn’t good enough. They needed to get better and they did but it’s another defeat which is the most important thing.
‘They were miles better in the second half but it’s another defeat and they haven’t got any points in the competition so far.’
Rangers, currently just eighth in the Scottish Premiership, return to domestic action this weekend against struggling Falkirk.
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