Rangers slapped with mega boos on day one as magic Motherwell cause Russell Martin fits

Daily Record

4 days ago

This Fir Park draw will have done little to convince their fans that this campaign is a new era
It's been three years since Rangers raised the Premiership curtain and saw some light.
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And this Fir Park draw will have done little to convince their fans that this campaign is going to be any brighter as Russell Martin 's new look side suffered a dull one on their league opener.
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Emmanuel Longelo's 86th minute leveller was a sickener for the Ibrox side - but no more than Motherwell deserved for their brave fightback after going behind early doors to a James Tavernier header.
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Tavernier forced an early save from Calum Ward while Danilo clipped the bar before Rangers surged ahead in the 14th minute with a goal that arrived in claret and amber gift-wrap.
Paul McGinn's attempted cross field pass inside his own box was skewed out for a corner. And from Joe Rothwell's deep flag kick Tavernier rose to head past Ward.
Rangers controlled the first half. But play swung after the break as Well's high press caused Rangers issues and Jack Butland had to make a smart stop to deny McGinn before Apostolos Stamatelopoulos' header clipped the bar.
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And with four minutes of normal time left on the clock Longelo struck home the leveller after John Koutroumbis' long range effort deflected into his path before the away fans let rip with a chorus of boss as the downbeat Gers stars heard about on day one of a new era. Here's five talking points
Three but not easy for Gers
Not since a 2-1 win at Livingston on July 30, 2022, have Rangers put three points on the board on the opening day of the league season. And the wait goes on after another false start.
Off the back of an exhausting 95 minutes in Athens on Wednesday, Rangers looked fresh and energetic in the first half before their legs started to go after the break.
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The passes stopped finding their man and gaps began to open up for Motherwell who pressed for their life.
Martin gambled by replacing his midfield three of Mo Diomande, Nico Raskin and Joe Rothwell in the second half no doubt in a bid to keep legs fresh for Wednesday's huge clash with Viktoria Plzen. But Connor Barron, Nedim Bajrami and Lyall Cammeron never had the same effect - as Gers' lack of depth shone through..
It might seem unfair to repeatedly single out Max Aarons as looking uncomfortable at left back. But again the Bournemouth loanee was an obvious square peg in a round hole. Tawanda Maswanhise seemed to get in Aarons' head as a spot of handbags heading down the tunnel suggested. More than once the Englishman was left on his backside as he attempted to tackle with his wrong foot. Martin admitted he's not the long term left sided solution. But with Jefte getting splinters on the bench you wonder how much longer the manager will persevere.
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Celtic can now get a head start for the third season running if they deal with St Mirren at home ton flag day.
Well worth it
It's not just Rangers adopting a play out from the back new system. Jens Barthel Askou has drilled some seriously neat football into his Well side in a matter of weeks. Much of it was very pleasing on the eye as they looked to get about Rangers. And their leveller at the death was deserved after a second half where they peppered Butland's goal. But if EVER there was an example of the risk that comes with the modern day strategy it was the McGinn blooper that teed-up Gers' opener. The Well captain had all the time in the world to pick out a pass from inside his own area but as he attempted to switch from left to right he sliced his right out the park for a corner from which Tavernier's headed home. Askou - like his old Norwich team mate Martin - has wasted little time in implementing his new style. And in Lukas Fadinger, Elliot Watt, Callum Slattery and Elijah Just they certainly have players who look comfortable on the ball - most of the time. Whether the risk is rewarded, only time will tell.
Getting wide
With a deal for Go Ahead Eagles winger Oliver Antman looking close Martin's desire to stockpile attacking threats in wide areas is clear. Mikey Moore arrived on Friday, Djedei Gassama has already had an electric impact and that's before you mention Oscar Cortes and Findlay Curtis. But Martin wants more and it's clear to see why. One goal - and a gift - was never going to be enough to blow Motherwell away on their own turf and the lack of serious action for Calum Ward in the home goal will be a worry for Martin. Danilo worked hard again but had little impact through the middle and with Cyriel Dessers scrambling about in a late cameo Rangers' lack of attacking threat was laid bare.
Gassama stole the show off the bench in both legs against Panithinaikos. But he was well marshalled by the home defence here.
Nasser's a rocket man
On a positive note for Martin, Wolves loanee Nasser Djiga looks the part in beside John Soutter at the back for Rangers. Strong in the air the big defender is also quick making up ground to cover. Like when he got back to block Stamatelopoulos' effort as he charged clear onto Slattery's pass after the break and again late on as he scampered back to thwart the same player after Soutter had dived in on the halfway line. Composed on the ball and strong as an ox the 22-year-old Burkina Faso International looks a real find for Martin.
Miller time?
There was no Lennon Miller on the team sheet again for Motherwell as the teen sensation watched on from the stands and it's beginning to look ever more likely the midfielder has played his last game for the club. Torino have joined Serie A rivals Bologna and Udinese at the front of the chasing pack for the 18-year-old. And with this window the optimum time to cash in the clock must be ticking on his departure. Askou played the lack of fitness card again to explain Miller's absence and in his place Fadinger, Watt and Slattery produced some slick stuff.