Russell Martin will be raging already as footage emerges from Austria before Sturm Graz vs Rangers
Rangers are set to face Sturm Graz in their next Europa League match, and a problem has already emerged.
Sturm Graz will prove to be a tough test for Rangers as they sit second in the Austrian Bundesliga, and a win away from home appears unlikely.
Russell Martin could make several changes as Rangers aim to build up some winning form, after securing a last-gasp victory over Livingston.
Martin has been criticised for blaming external factors before himself for Rangers’ struggles, and he may already have an excuse at the ready for the Europa League trip.
Footage emerges of Sturm Graz pitch ahead of Rangers clash
Rangers will face Sturm Graz in Austria as one of three away games this week, but while Martin may be grateful to get away from the Ibrox crowd, there are problems for his team.
The pitch at Merkur Arena, home of Sturm Graz, has now been inspected ahead of the clash, and Martin will be furious.
- The Merkur Arena hosts both Sturm Graz and Graz Athletics Club.
- It has a capacity of 16,364.
- From 1996 to 2005, it was named after the famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Despite Sturm Graz’s strong start to the season, conditions at the stadium look dire with regard to the pitch, which looks in severe need of treatment, and could provide a hard playing surface for the visiting side.
Footage shows plenty of patches in the grass, with a lot of indentations which indicate poor treatment and excessive mowing, which is unacceptable for a pitch about to host a European match.
- Read more: Rangers fans will get Russell Martin sacked as sad reveal from tunnel emerges at Livingston
Rangers dealing with three consecutive pitch nightmares
Martin is running out of excuses but he has every right to be frustrated at the state of the pitches his side will have to play on throughout this week.
Livingston and Falkirk both have artificial pitches, which are set to be outlawed from next season, and Martin’s side will be concerned about picking up injuries on them.
Derek Cornelius and Jayden Meghoma were withdrawn at Livingston, and the grass pitch at Sturm Graz arguably looks even worse.
This could prevent Rangers from passing the ball well on the ground, and Martin may have to go with a more direct style to combat this issue, which could actually be of benefit.
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