Rangers on brink of Champions League exit

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Rangers 1 - 3 Club Brugge 

Rangers’ hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage were left in tatters after a shambolic opening spell allowed Club Brugge to seize control

Author | Mark Lee

Stadium | Ibrox

Champions League 25 26 | Rangers v Club Brugge

Russell Martin’s side were torn apart in the first 20 minutes, conceding three goals that exposed defensive flaws which have lingered since the start of the season. 

For a head coach still under scrutiny from supporters, the lure of Champions League revenue looked like a potential lifeline, yet the night only brought further questions about his team’s resilience.

Romeo Vermant opened the scoring after three minutes, pouncing on Nasser Djiga’s failure to deal with a routine ball before lobbing Jack Butland from distance. Jorne Spileers doubled the advantage soon after, unmarked from a corner, and Brandon Mechele’s fierce drive made it three before the match had even reached the 20-minute mark.

Ibrox, initially stunned into silence, turned to anger as Rangers staggered towards half-time. By then, it could easily have been worse, with the home support directing their fury at the players as they left the field.

Martin resisted the urge to make changes at the interval, and his decision was briefly rewarded. Debutant Jayden Meghoma delivered a fine cross for Danilo, who tapped in to end a 14-hour goal drought and offer the faintest glimmer of hope ahead of next week’s return leg in Belgium.

Brugge’s intensity faded after the restart, but Rangers could not capitalise. They managed only one effort on target in the second half, while Djeidi Gassama thought he had forced in a second late on, only for VAR to rule Simon Mignolet had control of the ball.

The 3-1 scoreline gives Rangers something to cling to, but they will require a vastly improved display if they are to have any chance of turning the tie around in Bruges.

Location: Ibrox, Glasgow G51, UK

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