Champions League: Club Brugge rout hapless Rangers

Russell Martin's tenure at Rangers continues on its disastrous downward spiral with a humiliating Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge in Belgium, 6-0 on the night and 9-1 on aggregate.

The Light Blues faced a monumental task after losing 3-1 in the first leg at Ibrox and were a goal down after just five minutes from a Nicolo Tresoldi header before Gers right-back Max Aarons was shown a straight red card three minutes later for hauling back Christos Tzolis.

As the 10-man Govan side spectacularly capitulated, goals from captain Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys' brace - and Aleksandar Stankovic had the home side five up at the break.

HT Club Brugge 5-0 Rangers (8-1 on aggregate)

Rangers' #ChampionsLeague hopes are in tatters. They're being hammered in Belgium. #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/XXUUtoQZtk — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 27, 2025

Tzolis made it 6-0 just five minutes into the second half, which, mercifully for Rangers, brought no more pain in terms of the scoreline. However, the ramifications will be considerable.

Martin was already under severe pressure but the abysmal embarrassment of a performance which leaves him with three wins from 10 games, and the uproar from fans who have lost hope, may force the club's new USA-based owners and investors to think again.

FT: Club Brugge 6-0 Rangers (9-1 on aggregate)

"I don't see a way back for Russell Martin"- Alan Cawley thinks a joint-record European defeat will cost the Gers boss his job after just ten games #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/I0h4BEIgDH — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 27, 2025

Rangers lose out on Champions League football, which will cost them £20million (€23.1m) and possibly more, as they drop into the Europa League but one of the worst nights in the club's history will not be forgotten any time soon.

The Light Blues somehow have to regroup for the visit of Celtic on Sunday, where defeat will leave them nine points behind their Old Firm rivals with only four William Hill Premiership fixtures completed.

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