Russell Martin was optimistic as he previewed Thursday evening’s Europa League encounter with Sturm Graz at the ‘Merkur’ Arena, a stadium that when Rangers lost 0-2 here in 2000 under Dick Advocaat was called the ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger’ Arena.
“I’m looking forward to the game – I feel excited about it. It’s another European night, another difficult challenge. We’ve come to win – that has to be our approach.
“There’s a good feeling in the group after Sunday. We played well against Livingston – especially in the first-half, and should have scored a few more goals. We showed character, dug in together and showed a lot of fight.
Most Read on FollowFollow.com Sturm Graz Quotes Riders on the Sturm Sturm Blast – 25 years ago we played Graz
“The opposition will be good and they have home advantage – but there’s no point in playing for a draw.”
The Livingston game of course ended in bizarre scenes with some Rangers fans celebrating the winning goal from Max Aarons only to instantly turn to abuse aimed at the Ibrox Boss, who shrugged off the toxic reaction.
“We deserved to win – if people want to turn their attention to me, the players deserve to be able to celebrate the win. The criticism aimed at me is what it is – I’ve had a lot of fans come up to me in the city and around the place saying that actually to ignore it, that it’s gone some way over the normal criticism. I’ve really appreciated that. We all want to win games – but everyone inside the building, players and staff, they’ve been amazing.
“I’ve had lots and lots of support from other people – from players I’ve worked with, players I’ve played with, players I’ve coached. Lots of other managers, both domestically and down the road. It is what it is however – I have to accept it. I’ve seen two boys standing beside their father – all three giving me the fingers – that’s mental. I hope some day it will turn. There’s nothing I can say right now will influence matters. My whole career has been based on proving people wrong – that’s the challenge now. I really believe that.
“Social media increases and amplifies everything – the ferocity and intensity of everything.
“There’s been some tough moments – we’ve made mistakes but our aim has always been to improve the club and it was pretty evident that it might take some time. The club has to move forward. We had a really difficult night in Brugge – it took the lads a little while to recover, but they’re showing signs now of recovering. We have to keep progressing, keep improving.”
He finished on a positive note.
“The spirit in the group has really increased in the last three or four weeks.
“It’s been a good week – we had a difficult evening last Thursday because we were a man short for a long period of time. So that wasn’t easy – but we stuck together through that.
There was no concern over the condition of the pitch.
“Yes – I’ve just walked on the pitch and it’s OK. It’s better than the one we encountered in Athens. It’s fine.”
Robert McElroy