Glasgow | Pressure builds on Rangers boss

St Mirren 1 - 1 Rangers

Rangers came from behind to salvage a point at St Mirren, though Russell Martin’s side could not escape recording their worst league start in 36 years.

Author | Mark Lee

Stadium | The SMISA Stadium

The new head coach has overseen only three wins in nine matches, the poorest return of any permanent Rangers manager, and this performance will do little to ease the unease surrounding his tenure.

Still reeling from a limp Champions League qualifying defeat by Club Brugge in midweek, Rangers played with little conviction for long spells in Paisley.

Jonah Ayunga put St Mirren in front in the first half and the hosts looked on course for a first win of the season until 18-year-old substitute Findlay Curtis struck in the 78th minute to rescue the visitors.

That lifted Rangers, with Shamal George producing an excellent save to keep out a deflected James Tavernier effort. At the other end Jack Butland was required to deny Alex Gogic’s late header, ensuring the points were shared.

Although Rangers dominated possession, it was St Mirren who looked sharper in attack, despite arriving without a league goal to their name. Lyall Cameron and Thelo Aasgaard both squandered good openings before Ayunga broke clear and finished neatly past Butland.

Martin abandoned his much-criticised tactical setup at half-time, switching shape in an effort to wrest control. Rangers saw more of the ball but created little until Curtis pounced on a loose ball to drive into the bottom corner.

Rangers fan analysis

After the match, we caught up with a Rangers fan who was really annoyed with more dropped points and another poor performance. They gave this in-depth analysis of the current situation.

The listless displays show no sign of ending. Defeat to Brugge was followed by a lifeless draw at St Mirren, a contest that felt little different from the turgid affairs against Dundee and Motherwell.

Rangers were outmuscled in the first half and once again conceded from being poorly organised on the counter. The absence of a recognised striker only underlined the lack of balance in Russell Martin’s side.

The ongoing saga involving Hamza Igamane and the manager rumbles on, but for many it feels like just another episode in the constant cycle of drama surrounding the club. It is wearying.

With the transfer window entering its final week, Rangers remain in pressing need of reinforcements: a left-back, a left-sided centre-half, a defensive midfielder and, crucially, more than one centre-forward.