Russell Martin outlined his thoughts and frustrations following the disappointment of the 1-1 home draw at Ibrox with Dundee on Saturday evening.

“You’ve got to learn from the process – I’ve talked to the players and we’ll be all the better for it.

“The guys are unbeaten in five games – but you learn from every one, whether you win or draw. On Saturday, although they didn’t win they showed the right mentality to ensure that they didn’t lose with ten men.

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“We were playing against a team who defended low and well throughout the game – but if we had scored early it would have changed the entire context of the ninety minutes. We have to learn and improve. We can’t get too emotional about the outcome of the games – we’ll get better, and Tuesday evening is a different challenge again. It’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Russell expects the Czechs to start the game in attack and at pace – but will ensure that his men are ready for the expected onslaught.

“Goals change games and ties – we hope to start the game well ourselves – but the opposition will consider they have nothing to lose. We have to be ready for that. If we have a setback during the game we will have to respond the way we responded against Panathinaikos and with ten men on Saturday. I commend the players for that.”

He played down the suggestion that some of the new arrivals at Ibrox may have been overwhelmed by the level of expectation.

“Everyone has different experiences in different Leagues before coming to Ibrox. They know what the expectations are. We’ve a couple of brilliant nights in Europe already. They’ve experienced every emotion already and I think over the course of the season they’ll do an excellent job – but there’s way more to come. We work hard and we have to learn and control what we can control.”

Even with a three-goal lead from the First Leg in Glasgow, the ‘Gers Boss is adamant that complacency will not be a factor as far as his team is concerned.  

“We certainly can’t ease off after the disappointment of Saturday, It’s my job to make sure there’s no easing off – we’ll be aiming to win the game.”  

Martin was also insistent that both Nico Raskin and Joe Rothwell can play in the same midfield.

“They’ve already both played in the same team in the short term so they can certainly do the same long term. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. What Nico did last season I can’t comment on – I can only judge on what he’s done this season, and he was brilliant on Saturday. He made a big difference. His reaction has been top class. He’s still a young man and is a really fantastic player.”

Robert McElroy