Rangers fall to Brugge at Ibrox

Club Brugge seized control early in the playoff first leg at Ibrox, prompting a sharp post match reaction from pundits.

Rangers hammered by Club Brugge at Ibrox after early blitz

Club Brugge surged into a commanding lead inside the opening 20 minutes of the playoff first leg at Ibrox, scoring three times as Rangers looked overwhelmed by the visitors pace and finishing. The visitors capitalized on early defensive errors and kept pressing, leaving the home crowd hushed.

In the second half, Danilo added a goal for Brugge and Rangers found a reply, but the home side still faced a difficult task in the return leg. The night also featured empty seats and a sense of missed opportunity for Russell Martins team as they head to Belgium.

This result exposes gaps in Rangers defense and a lack of cohesion in the build up under manager Russell Martin. The opening spell suggests issues at centre back and in communication, areas teammates must tighten before the return match.

For Brugge, the performance signals European experience and clinical finishing. For Rangers, the immediate task is to reset quickly, learn from the mistakes, and prepare for a demanding away leg. The night serves as a reminder that talent alone is not enough without organization and resilience on European nights.

Highlights

The next leg will test Rangers resolve and call for a sharper plan.