The manager's mentality mantra accompanies yet another Glasgow Rangers setback

After Rangers' season opener draw against Motherwell, Russell Martin stated that the problem affecting his team was "not essentially tactical, it is a mentality problem".

That was two months ago. Nevertheless during his post-match comments after the haphazard 2-1 Europa League defeat on Thursday, there was an enervating repetition about the way the Rangers head coach justified the result.

"It is mindset, not a technical or strategic problem," Martin stated.

Another match, one more familiar scenario for the Glasgow club.

What unfolds during matches is predictable, whereas the manager's assessment carries a feeling of predestination about it as well.

There exists nothing to be said about the sluggish opening and subpar defending that permitted Sturm Graz to take command of this European match that has not previously been thoroughly discussed by team members, pundits and supporters equally.

The shared element is that exists a issue at Ibrox. Ongoing protests indicate that. Only five successes in 16 matches make it particularly clear.

Therefore, how much more time can the team and Martin adhere to identical explanations and desire something different?

Aside from the minor progress toward improvement that was the Scottish Premiership victory at their weekend opponents, the Glasgow club haven't managed to move beyond the initial stage.

Away from home, they possessed an opportunity to build some momentum and build an argument for Martin, who stays experiencing substantial criticism.

Conversely, an errant throw-in from their captain was played upfield by Dimitri Lavalee, brought down by Maurice Malone, and finished by the goalscorer. Just seven minutes had passed.

If that was a defensive error, the second goal was a defensive disaster.

An advanced defensive position at a defensive free-kick was cut through with one superb daisy-cutter, and a struggling the goalkeeper was made to look foolish for the second occasion in the initial 45 minutes.

"Amateur errors," remarked former Rangers right-back the pundit.

The pair of blunders attributed to Rangers' psychological approach, in the view of the manager. Nothing to do with their set-up, approach or playing philosophy.

"The difference from the first half-hour and the subsequent hour was too separated really," Martin stated. "It's attention, it is psychology.

"I am annoyed since we give away two poor scores, simple goals. We did so much work on them in recent times we failed to be alert.

"We caused our own problems as they were unable to produce any chances during normal gameplay. It's painful and frustrating."

Rangers limped along until the interval. Then things changed.

Jayden Meghoma and Oliver Antman were exchanged for Max Aarons and another replacement in substitutions that constituted not at all straightforward alterations.

This resulted in the defender shunted to the left defensive position, while the captain at central defense. Eye-popping theoretically, positive on the pitch.

With renewed energy among the players - though not entirely the domination the manager indicated - Djeidi Gassama deservedly hauled one back for Rangers.

But consistent with the trend so often this season, the creators of their difficulties were unable to bounce back till the harm was inflicted.

"We displayed unsophisticated and wound up behind at 2-0, after which we were chasing the match," Cornelius informed media.

"The opening was strong, I'm uncertain the nature of the challenge. There's a sense that there are periods where the entire team is engaged and tuned in and subsequently it can switch, I don't know the reason.

"We shouldn't be complacent of that. We cannot remain at this level. We have to respond."

David: He should leave. It's just total rubbish each occasion Martin makes comments. He seems to be watching different games to the rest of us. Completely out of touch.

Steve: Exists obviously a disconnect among the coach and the squad. If they can't implement fundamental tactics such as ways to appropriately defend a restart, then an issue is fundamentally broken.

Robert: The manager must depart ahead of the situation persists to decline more. I've stopped experiencing astonished any longer by Rangers suffering defeats, it's developing into the standard. Next Ibrox fixture attendance should prove interesting.

Stewart: Real leaders don't blame {their men|