Rangers: Should Sturm Graz be feared in Europa League?

Any Rangers side of the past six seasons would probably head to Austria to face this version of Sturm Graz as favourites, given the Glasgow club's strong Europa League record.

But what we know about Russell Martin's Rangers side is they are struggling for momentum after five wins in 15 games this season and a backdrop of unrest and protests against the club's hierarchy and head coach.

Last season, despite a tough draw, Philippe Clement guided Rangers into the top eight, securing a fifth run to the knockout stages of the Europa League in the club's past five attempts in the competition.

Barry Ferguson and his management team then got them through to the quarter-finals before falling to Athletic Club.

That record is what Martin is being judged against, especially as the former Southampton manager, on paper, has an easier set of games than Clement did last year.

However, that helped little in their meek opening home loss against struggling Genk and Sturm Graz should prove a slight step up in quality.

Jurgen Samuel's side clinched a second consecutive Austrian Bundesliga title last season, ending a decade of RB Salzburg dominance, while playing in the Champions League last season.

They struggled in Europe's elite competition, only beating both RB Leipzig and Bojan Miovski's Girona 1-0 while losing their other six games and finishing 30th out of 36 teams.

Like Rangers, they were humbled in the play-off round this season as they sought to return to the big time, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Bodo/Glimt after a 5-0 drubbing in Norway.

Their squad looks weaker than last season too, with top scorer and former Motherwell loanee Mika Biereth departing for Monaco in January after netting 14 goals in half a season, while striker William Boving was also sold to Mainz before the summer deadline.

Scotland right-back Max Johnston, who played 65 times and won three trophies in his two seasons in Austria, joined Derby County.

Their key threat is Georgia international Otar Kiteishvili, who plays at the tip of Sturm's midfield diamond.

The playmaker grabbed 13 goals last season and has five so far this campaign, despite missing some time through injury and, more recently, personal reasons.

Kiteishvili was a doubt for this tie because he was back in Georgia but is set to be available again in a crucial game for Graz after they lost their opener 2-0 away to Hibernian's qualifying conquerors, Midtjylland.

Graz are currently two points behind Rapid Vienna, a side Dundee United took to penalties in the Conference League and one of two teams they have lost to domestically this season, as they seek a third title in a row.

If United can go to Austria and get a draw against the nation's league leaders then the expectation is Rangers should be able to come to Graz and win.

Football is never quite as simple as that, though.

Martin is already living game by game as Rangers head coach and while Sturm Graz, who travel to Celtic Park later this month, are not a side to be feared, Rangers are yet to show any evidence they can reproduce the Europa League triumphs of recent seasons.

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