Rangers’ Champions League hopes took a major blow on Tuesday night as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Belgian champions Club Brugge, with a familiar face in the stands to witness the setback. A former Ibrox hero, whose connection to the club remains strong, was present at the Jan Breydel Stadium as Russell Martin’s side struggled against the clinical hosts.
The Gers started brightly but quickly lost control of the match, with defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack proving costly. Brugge punished Rangers with three decisive goals, leaving Martin’s men facing an uphill battle in the return leg if they are to progress to the group stages.
For supporters, the presence of an ex-Ibrox favourite in the stands was a reminder of past European nights when Rangers often punched above their weight. However, this latest defeat highlighted the gulf in quality that still exists at the highest level of the competition.
The result now piles pressure on Martin, who has faced growing scrutiny over his tactical decisions and summer recruitment. With Rangers’ season ambitions heavily tied to European qualification, the upcoming second leg could prove pivotal not just for the club’s finances but also for the manager’s future at Ibrox.
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