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Russell Martin called out his players after Motherwell draw Rangers head coach Russell Martin says his side must shed their mindset of "self-preservation" and embrace the demands of playing for the club as they prepare for a crucial Champions League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen. The Ibrox boss gave a scathing post-match debrief from his side's draw with Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener at the weekend, but hopes his players can fully take on board his message, insisting it came from a "place of love". Rangers' third qualifying round tie against the Czech side will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland. Martin bemoaned his side's application and endeavour at Fir Park, saying his side's issue was a "mentality problem". Asked if it was a case of tough love for the players, he said: "I think if they know us by now as a group of coaching staff, that it all comes from a place of love, really, and care for them. "I don't come out and say that because I want to be ruthless and all that stuff. If they know me as a person, people who do know me, they know comes from a place of love and to help them, to want them to be better. "So I think when you come from that place, whatever is said, if they understand that, then we always have a really honest and good conversation about it, and I think and hope they understand who we are by now and what we're here to do. "And I really believe they're really trying, and it's just that learned behaviour and that default, and we have to change that a little bit because they're really good human beings. "So they're good people, but the default is to try and protect yourself when it gets tough, we need to just shift that a little bit. " Rangers lurch into another big week for the club after securing a date in the Champions League third round of qualifying after seeing off Panathinaikos last week. Martin was not concerned about his comments which then followed the game at Fir Park having a detrimental effect on his side, but insists that if any players shrink under the pressure, then they should not expect to be a part of his squad. "I think if it has a detrimental effect on certain individuals, then they're probably not the ones we want to come on the journey with us, " said the former Rangers defender. "So I think if it has a detrimental effect on you and it hurts you to the point where you feel singled out, then there's probably an issue with you being all in at this place and this club and with us. "I don't have any worry about it being detrimental on the team. " Martin confirmed that Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane will again miss out through fitness issues, while it is not clear if Mikey Moore, the 17-year-old attacker who has signed on loan from Tottenham, will receive international clearance in time to be part of the squad. Pavel Sulc will not travel with Viktoria Plzen to Glasgow for their Champions League qualifier against Rangers on Tuesday as "a transfer abroad is being finalised". The Czech club's official website did not reveal the destination of the midfielder's impending move but confirmed he is no longer in coach Miroslav Koubek's squad for the first leg of the third-round qualifier at Ibrox. Chairman and chief executive Adolf Sadek told Plzen's official website: "Pavel has been given the green light by the club to transfer abroad. "All the formalities, including a medical examination, are currently being finalised. "If everything goes according to plan, he will transfer to a renowned European club. " UEFA Champions League All competitions Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.