Godwin ObajeRangers Face Crucial Europa League Test Against Sturm Graz as Pressure Mounts on Russell Martin
As Rangers prepare to travel to Austria for their upcoming Europa League fixture against SK Sturm Graz, the pressure is mounting on manager Russell Martin following a difficult start to the campaign. The match, scheduled for Thursday, October 2nd at 8pm BST, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, with fans also able to stream the game via discovery+.
A Rocky Start for Rangers in Europe and Domestic Football
Rangers’ Europa League journey has so far been disappointing, with the team struggling to find form both in European competition and on home soil. The Gers’ opening group stage fixture ended in a frustrating 1-0 home defeat to Genk. The match was marred by a red card for Mohamed Diomande just before half-time, forcing Rangers to play the majority of the game with ten men. Genk capitalised on the numerical advantage, with former Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the decisive goal, extinguishing any hope of a comeback at Ibrox.
The result followed a string of poor performances domestically, with Rangers languishing near the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, sitting 11th with just four points from their opening fixtures. Manager Russell Martin, who has overseen just 14 games since his appointment, has seen his side win only four times under his leadership.
The European setback was compounded by a humiliating exit from the Champions League qualifiers, where Rangers suffered a 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge—a result that has shocked supporters and intensified scrutiny on the team’s trajectory.
Russell Martin Responds to Growing Pressure
Despite the mounting criticism, Martin remains confident in his position and the support he receives from the club. Reflecting on the recent loss to Genk, the manager told reporters:
“I don’t think the game tonight where we were down to 10 men for that long will change things a huge amount in terms of that [his future]. I feel nothing but support from the club.”
Martin’s resolve will be put to the test as Rangers look to arrest their decline with a positive result in Austria. A strong performance against Sturm Graz could provide a much-needed boost for the club’s morale and the manager’s standing.
Sturm Graz: A Formidable Opponent
Sturm Graz, meanwhile, have enjoyed a far more promising start to their season. The Austrian side currently sit second in the Bundesliga, five points behind leaders Rapid Wien. While their Europa League campaign also began with defeat—losing 2-0 to Danish side FC Midtjylland—they have demonstrated resilience with a mixed but mostly positive run in their domestic league, winning three and losing two of their last five matches.
Playing at home in the Liebenauer Stadium, Sturm Graz will be confident of securing three points and maintaining their momentum, posing a stern challenge for Rangers.
How to Watch
For those wanting to catch the live action, the Europa League clash will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2. Sky TV customers can add TNT Sports to their monthly package via the Sky Shop or online, while Virgin Media customers can include the channel in their plans.
Alternatively, the match will be available to stream on discovery+ with subscription packages starting at £30.99 per month. This provides an accessible option for fans to follow the game live, whether at home or on the go.
The Road Ahead for Rangers
As Rangers head into this crucial fixture, the spotlight will be firmly on Russell Martin and his ability to steady the ship. The early signs under his management have been far from ideal, and failure to secure a positive result against Sturm Graz could further deepen concerns over the club’s current trajectory.
Yet, with the backing of the club evident and the chance to rebuild confidence on the European stage, Martin and his squad have an opportunity to turn a challenging season around.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as Rangers seek to reclaim some pride and lay the groundwork for a more consistent run of form both in Europe and domestically.
Godwin Obaje
