Rangers kicked off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a bitterly frustrating 1-1 draw at Fir Park – and the result told only half the story.
Despite an early header from James Tavernier giving the visitors the lead, a late Emmanuel Longelo strike secured a deserved point for Motherwell in a game where Rangers were largely second best after the break. But what made the result even harder to take for the supporters was the complete lack of fight, intensity and urgency shown across the park — something manager Russell Martin called out in no uncertain terms post-match.
Sluggish, Disjointed and Lacking Identity
Let’s not sugar-coat it — that was a dreadful second half. After showing flashes of promise in the opening 20 minutes, Rangers faded dramatically. Passes were sloppy, players were static, and the shape of the team collapsed under the most basic of pressure.
From back to front, there are issues — not just with individual personnel, but also in how the team is being asked to play.
Max Aarons looks uncomfortable at left-back, a position that clearly doesn’t suit his natural instincts or strengths. It begs the question — does the manager not trust Jefte? Why have we signed a Premier League Right Back just to play him at Left Back? And if Martin is trying to shoehorn Tavernier into the team at right-back, is it coming at the cost of the team’s balance?
In midfield, Raskin and Diomande — are being played wide of the centre and often on their weaker side. It leaves the middle of the park wide open when possession is lost, as was seen time and time again as Motherwell surged forward. The wide spacing also creates congestion near the flanks and left Rangers looking disorganised, particularly on transitions.
Dowell Experiment Has to End
Perhaps the biggest concern on the day was the continued insistence on playing Kieran Dowell in an attacking wide role. It hasn’t worked. It isn’t working. And to be brutally honest, the fans don’t want to see it anymore. Dowell offers no pace, no pressing, and no threat. Motherwell spotted it early and simply left him to it — doubling up instead on Gassama to great effect. The threat the young winger posed was neutralised completely, and Dowell provided zero support in return.
Defensively, it was worse. Time and time again Dowell was bypassed with ease and failed to track back, offering no protection down his flank. It’s no surprise that the equaliser came with both Dowell and Tavernier complicit in failing to recover or pressure the ball.
Danilo Starved, Midfield Outworked
Danilo offered very little up front — though in fairness, he received very little to work with. The service into him was sparse and often hopeful. With no real structure or rhythm to the play in the second half, Rangers looked more like individuals than a team.
In midfield, Raskin and Diomande never really got going. Motherwell, to their credit, were aggressive and brave — winning second balls, forcing mistakes, and playing through our midfield far too easily.
The difference in effort was stark. Rangers looked mentally and physically off it — lethargic and passive. And the manager didn’t hold back when addressing it.
Martin Speaks the Truth – Now Action Must Follow
Russell Martin pulled no punches in his post-match interview, and his words hit exactly the right note with the support.
We were lucky to get a point… They were braver than us, more aggressive than us.
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.
Some of them have to drop their ego… it’s a mentality problem.
There will be people left behind if they don’t want to come.
Russell Martin, Head Coach, Rangers Football Club
These are strong words. The kind of statements Rangers fans have been crying out to hear from a manager for years. But talk is cheap if it’s not followed by meaningful action. This kind of performance – with players jogging, hiding, and picking and choosing when to apply themselves – has cost our last three managers their jobs.
We’ve seen this movie before.
Martin’s blunt honesty is refreshing. But now he has to back it up. Dowell should be dropped. The midfield shape needs adjusting. We either trust Jefte at left-back or bring in someone else who can be. Aarons should not be playing there. And if there are players who won’t give 100% effort, they must be benched — no matter who they are.
A Wake-Up Call Before It’s Too Late
It’s only the first league game, but it already feels like a warning. Europe has masked some of these problems so far, but the demands of the Premiership are different. Teams will come to fight, battle, and outwork us if we let them — and Motherwell showed exactly how it’s done.
The time for excuses is over. The mentality must change. Rangers must wake up — or it’ll be another long, painful domestic campaign.
What to keep reading more? Check out some of our other latest articles!
- Rangers Agree Multi-Million Pound Deal for Bojan Miovski
- Hamza Igamane’s Rangers Journey Ends With £10.5m Switch to Lille
- Cifuentes Seals Toronto Loan Switch – Weather Won’t Be an Issue This Time!
- Rangers Bank £6M as Jefte Joins Palmeiras – Now the Board Must Step Up
- Rangers’ Defensive Collapse Leaves Champions League Hopes Hanging by a Thread
💙 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates, live reactions, and more fan coverage.
📲 Don’t forget to like and share! #Rangers #RangersFC #ScottishPremiership