Rangers began their Scottish Premiership campaign with a frustrating 1–1 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park on August 2.
Club captain James Tavernier gave the visitors an early lead with a 14th-minute header from Joe Rothwell’s corner. But Emmanuel Longelo equalized in the 87th minute, finding the bottom corner after a clever layoff from Elijah Just.
The result extended Rangers’ unbeaten away run at Fir Park to 31 league matches since 2002. However, it was the third consecutive season they failed to win their opening league game.
Martin’s Harsh Words and Fan Reaction
After the match, Rangers manager Russell Martin did not hold back. He called the performance “extremely disappointing” and admitted his side were lucky to get even a point.
He criticized his players for lacking intensity and warned that some needed to “drop their ego,” pointing to a mentality issue rather than tactical errors.
“We were lucky to get a point,” he said, delivering his verdict on the result and performance. “Motherwell played great, we were nowhere near where we need to be and I’m extremely disappointed and hurt by that.
“They were braver than us, they were more aggressive than us.
“I have said to the players and been really honest with them and I’ll be honest with you guys because it is what the supporters of this club deserve…
“There is a default at this football club and it is not one person’s fault at all, the default is to revert to type when it is going really well everyone is all in, it is really good.
“When it is not going well you protect yourself a little bit and self-preservation stuff.
“You can’t play for this club and enjoy the really good moments and then when it gets tough, ‘Oh I’m not sure’.
“You have to be all in all the time. We had too many on the pitch today that wanted to do what they wanted to do.
“If you are playing with real intensity and courage in the position that we coach you in, no problem. When you just want to jog around and do what you want to do, there’s a big problem.
“Some of them have to drop their ego”
Supporters voiced their frustration, booing the players off the pitch. Rangers had just returned from a midweek Champions League qualifier in Athens, where they edged past Panathinaikos.
The team looked drained and disjointed for much of the game, managing only 0.7 expected goals compared to Motherwell’s 2.21.
Martin later took some responsibility for tactical decisions, but made it clear that the core issue was attitude. He said Motherwell were braver, more aggressive, and more deserving of a result. “We didn’t show enough fight. That’s not acceptable,” he ended his tirade.
Motherwell, under new boss Jens Berthel Askou, was well-organized and created several chances in the second half. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos hit the crossbar, and substitute Tom Sparrow nearly won it in stoppage time, but his shot was saved by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
With pressure already building, Rangers must respond quickly as the title race with Celtic heats up. They host Viktoria Plzen next in the Champions League qualifiers.
All eyes will now be on Martin’s ability to fix the issues within the squad before momentum slips further.
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