- First-half horror show leaves Rangers’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread
- Gassama sees goal disallowed but in truth home side were miles off it against classy Belgians
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Russell Martin’s Rangers were blown away by a rampant Club Brugge side at Ibrox as their Champions League hopes were left hanging by a thread.
Goals from Romeo Vermant and Jorne Spileers had the visitors two in front after only seven minutes, and some home supporters were heading for the exits on 20 minutes when Brugge centre-half Brandon Mechele rifled home a third.
While Danilo gave the home fans something to cheer by pulling one back five minutes after the interval following a fine cross from new boy Jayden Meghoma, Rangers were fortunate to come out of the game with just a two-goal deficit.
Some supporters may grumble about the merits of Djeidi Gassama’s disallowed effort that was chalked off after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was adjudged to have had two hands on the ball when the French youngster prodded it into the net, but nothing could detract from the mood around the ground following such a lacklustre first half.
Our man GARY KEOWN was on hand to run the rule over another worrying display in Martin’s troubled early tenure, and as expected some Ibrox stars came off worse than others…
Russell Martin was left with much to ponder after watching his side collapse to the Belgians
Nasser Djiga was all over the shop in a ‘bomb scare’ of a first-half performance at Ibrox
Jack Butland was one of Rangers’ better performers…though he didn’t have much competition
Jack Butland 7
Not to blame for opener and kept the score down with really good saves from Forbs and Mechele among others.
Max Aarons 4
Still not showing much to suggest why he was brought in on loan. Dug in and was a bit better second half.
John Souttar 3.5
Standing around like a scarecrow at the goal that led to Brugge’s second. Defence just looked weak all night.
Nasser Djiga 2
What he was doing at the opener is anyone’s guess. A bomb scare in that first 45. Just looks wobbly all-round.
Jayden Meghoma 4
Had a really torrid first 45 on his debut, but did at least set up Danilo for his goal before going off for Tavernier.
Jayden Meghoma put a poor first half behind him to set up a goal on his Rangers debut
Mohamed Diomande 2
One or two attacking moves that led to nothing and one dismal effort wide. Just never properly involved in the game.
Joe Rothwell 3.5
Taken off late on and just didn’t influence the game. Could have done better at Brugge’s third and needs to take charge.
Nico Raskin 4
Not at the races in that awful first half and although better in the second period, he needs to show more bite.
Oliver Antman 3.5
A spectator in the first 45, he was a little more involved after the break, but nothing really came off for him.
Danilo 3
Did score from close-range, but offered nothing else. Caught sleeping when Mechele made it 3-0 as well. Not good enough.
Danilo signals to the crowd for encouragement after netting to end a lengthy goal drought
Djeidi Gassama 7.5
Even in that first half, he was the only player who wanted the ball. Maybe a little unlucky not to have late goal awarded.
SUBSTITUTES: Igamane (Danilo 59), Aasgaard (Diomande 59), Tavernier (Meghoma 70), Moore (Antman 70), Cameron (Rothwell 86).
Russell Martin 3
No subs at half-time. Team just doesn’t look organised. Take the corner that led to goal No2 as an example. A man in bother.
CLUB BRUGGE (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe (Meijer 73), Spileers, Mechele, Seys; Stankovic (Reis 86), Onyedika (Diakhon 89); Forbs (Vetlesen 73), Vanaken, Tzolis; Vermant (Tresoldi 46).
Referee: Francois Letexier (Fra) 7.
Attendance: N/A
