RUSSELL Martin insists there’s lots to build on following tonight’s UEFA Champions League third round qualifier against Viktoria Plzen.
It was a 2-1 defeat for the Gers in the second-leg, but a 4-2 aggregate victory saw the squad progress to the play-off round.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, Martin said: “I am disappointed we lost, we had some really good moments but I am disappointed how many shots we gave them, how many chances we gave them and also I’m disappointed with how many times we got in and around their box with an overload, big numbers and then don't execute the final pass.
“There were some really good moments of football, we saw the game out really well in the last seven minutes, but there were way too many moments for them which were self-inflicted as well.
“I said to the guys we have to bring both sides of the game, so when we score in the second-half, we actually played some really good stuff, scored a goal and then almost switch off again, like okay it's fine now, and we just can't do that.
“The guys that came on the pitch really helped us take the ball in, Danilo was fantastic, Kieran and Nedim helped us take the ball so we have to play with more quality and more care with the ball for each other otherwise you are going to end up defending a lot and when we did defend we didn't defend with enough intensity.
“We'll show them some of the really good stuff as well, but there were too many scary moments for the opposition that we can really do better with.”
Martin praised Lyall Cameron for his first Rangers goal this evening, and goalkeeper Jack Butland who came up with some big saves at the other end.
He said: “Lyall has done great, he gives us loads of energy, running, really works so hard for the team and sacrifices himself for the team. I am really pleased for him and that'll be really good for him. He deserved to start, and I am pleased he scored.
“Jack Butland has been amazing, last week he had very little to do in this game and tonight way too much. We need to sort that out, but even with his decision making with the ball at his feet he is selected really well so I have been really pleased with Jack.”
Rangers will now face Club Brugge in the play-off round, on that tie, Martin added: “We had an interesting game against them in pre-season, so we know a bit about each other and we have to be better than we were tonight for sure.
“We had some really good moments like we did in the first leg tonight and didn't make enough of them.”
2025-26 AWAY KIT: Follow Forever. Shop the 2025-26 Umbro x Rangers Away Kit in-store or online HERE
GET YOUR 2025-26 MYGERS MEMBERSHIP: Enjoy exclusive experiences, discounts and events with a MyGers membership HERE
VIP HOSPITALITY: Combining all the passion, excitement and joy of football with an unrivalled choice of suites and packages at Ibrox Stadium HERE