Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Rangers boss Martin dismissed the notion that the early concession of goals had anything to do with technical ability or tactics, and instead attributed their struggles to a “mentality” issue.
“You can’t start that poorly,” Martin said. “We still had loads of chances in the first half, but they had too many and all from set play or throw-in.
“We just have to be brighter, organised, quicker and help each other more.
“The mentality is the problem, it’s not like we’re not doing what we should do on the set play, our throw-in, that’s a mentality issue in the first bit of the game.
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Highlights: Rangers endure more misery with defeat in Austria
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“So dominant in the second half, of course we give away a couple of chances late on because we’re throwing everything at it. But we should score more goals, come away from Europe and have that many chances at goal, you can’t lose the game.
“We gave up chances from set plays early on, not in open play. I just said it’s a mentality thing.”
Martin cited the youthfulness of his squad, and said “they have to learn really quickly”.
When asked if he is learning from the rigours of his difficult start at Rangers – underlined by the fact they have won just five of the 16 games he has taken charge – Martin replied: “Always.
“We have to improve the mentality quickly. It’s not a technical, tactical problem, the mentality in the second half was brilliant, to compete, to fight, to run.
“We don’t do that in the first 20 minutes and pay the price for it.”
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‘How easy is that?’ – Rangers caught out by ‘one straight ball’
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Certain Rangers fans have voiced their disapproval with the early season results, and when asked whether it has been a difficult tenure thus far at Ibrox, Martin said: “It’s an interesting time, it’s frustrating.
“We’ve shown signs of so much growth and improvement. Even today in the game, some brilliant moments. To come away from home in Europe and have so many chances, it’s frustrating to lose the game.”
‘Unheard of for a Rangers team’ – Hutton
Rangers, who won their first league game of the season against Livingston on Sunday, are in unprecedented territory with their poor run stretching to domestic competitions as well as in Europe – TNT Sports pundit Alan Hutton believes.
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Rangers ‘can’t continue this way’ says Hutton – ‘It’s unheard of’
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“They get their first league win at the weekend after six attempts, not great,” Hutton said. “Six goals, only five in the league, it’s really unheard of for a Rangers team.
“It’s the manner in which they are conceding, in transition they’re too easy to play against. Some simple goals that could be easily corrected.
“When they go forward, the cohesion is not quite there. Gassama is doing really well, but you need other midfielders and forward players chipping in.”
Hutton, though, feels the players have to shoulder the responsibility as much as Martin.
“I think the confidence is a bit of an issue,” he said. “The manager, it’s going to fall on him eventually, whatever happens.
“But the players have to look at themselves as well. When you cross that white line, there’s a certain way you’ve been asked to play but you have to go out and produce.
“It’s going to be interesting, it’s not a great start for Rangers this season, and how long it can go on for I’m not sure, because we know the way the fans are.”
Rangers return to action on Sunday with a trip to Falkirk.
