How ’embarrassed’ Martin’s ‘toughest night’ unfolded in Rangers hammering

The head coach has no worries about his future, despite the “humiliating and painful” six-goal defeat at Club Brugge by Rangers being the “toughest night” of his career.

The former Scotland defender is being subjected to more scrutiny by the Ibrox supporters, to whom Martin apologized following the record-equalling European defeat, after a demoralizing evening in Belgium.

Rangers were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs in the most ignominious way possible thanks to the 6-0 defeat, which resulted in a 9-1 aggregate thumping.

I offer only an apology to the fans, Martin said. I’m sorry they had to witness that.

It’s both painful and humiliating, they say. They must have endured that, which causes disappointment and pain.

I don’t believe I learned anything new from tonight; I’m just embarrassed by my defeat. It was probably my most difficult night as a head coach.

I believe we will advance, advance, and grow without any change.

James Tavernier, Martin’s captain, and Nicolas Raskin, Martin’s starting bench, both caused a stir when Martin made his team selection.

The Rangers manager said he wanted to play the “freshest” and most attacking team he could have had before deciding to leave Belgium midfielder Raskin.

Right-back Max Aarons received a red card shortly after Nicolo Tresoldi’s opener, but that plan was abandoned eight minutes later.

“Madness” was how Martin put Rangers’ beginning in Bruges in words. There is a lot of pain that is self-inflicted. We are so inadequate in resolving problems.

Following the team’s 3-1 first-leg defeat last week, Martin vowed that his side would never again concede the goals that were set during the calamitous opening session at Ibrox.

His team was five points ahead of the break and six points ahead of the final minute against the same foe.

After this one, Martin said, “I don’t think we’ll be defeated 6-0 again.”

Billy Dodds, a former Rangers striker, was concerned when Brugge’s second goal hit the back of the net. He said on BBC Sportsound that this could become “incredibly embarrassing.”

The former Ibrox coach added, “It’s not a nice night to be here and watch this as a Scottish football fan, because they’re getting ripped apart,” after three goals and 15 minutes.

Given that Rangers’ final goal came with 40 minutes left, it seems absurd to suggest Rangers would have settled for six.

The relentless hosts had 32 shots on hand, 26 of which were inside the Rangers 18-yard area when the game was over.

In the opposing box, they also managed 70 touches. Zero was on Martin’s side.

Rangers have the chance to put a miserable night behind them in Sunday’s first Old Firm derby against Celtic, but many fans won’t want Martin to be in the dugout.

The former Southampton manager acknowledged that his relationship with the squad had “broken harmony,” but he still thinks he can change things.

Although many supporters may not be patient at this stage, Martin asserts that the Rangers’ hierarchy “knows this may take time.”

The head coach wants to use the “pain and humiliation” as “fuel” for the derby.

“The manner of defeat tonight is unacceptable and hurtful,” Martin continued. But I must work and remain focused in the end result.

We must remove that weight from the group and move forward, he said. Both the players and I must accept everything that is expected of me.

However, I must bear the responsibility of taking it all. The work we do going forward won’t be impacted by it.