The stakes couldn’t be higher at Ibrox as Rangers prepare to host Club Brugge in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off, with both teams just 180 minutes away from the lucrative league phase and a potential £40 million windfall. For Rangers manager Russell Martin, the journey to this pivotal moment has been anything but smooth, yet the Glasgow side stands on the brink of a European breakthrough that could define their season.
Rangers’ path to this stage has been marked by resilience and flashes of brilliance. After overcoming Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in the qualifiers—winning both home legs with authority—the Gers have demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion at Ibrox, even as domestic form has wavered. Their European campaign began with a confident 2-0 home win over Panathinaikos, followed by a gritty 1-1 draw in Athens. New signing Djeidi Gassama immediately made his mark, scoring in both legs and emerging as a key figure in the squad’s continental ambitions.
Gassama’s impact has been nothing short of sensational. The 21-year-old forward has netted four goals in four Champions League appearances since his arrival, quickly establishing himself as the star of Rangers’ European adventure. His brace against Viktoria Plzen in a 3-0 triumph at Ibrox propelled the Light Blues into this play-off, and his knack for decisive contributions has fans daring to dream. As one preview put it, “Djeidi Gassama has been the star of Rangers’ Champions League adventure so far, scoring four goals in four games, so will the Frenchman be the hero at Ibrox once again?”
Yet, the road has not been without bumps. Domestically, Martin’s men have struggled to find their rhythm, drawing both Scottish Premiership matches 1-1 and laboring to a 4-2 victory over Alloa Athletic in the League Cup. The manager himself acknowledged the significance of the upcoming clash, stating before the Panathinaikos tie that it “wouldn’t define the season,” but the pressure has only intensified as the campaign has unfolded.
Martin’s tactical approach has emphasized squad rotation, with ten changes made for the Alloa win—only central defender Nasser Djiga retained his place from the previous European outing. Injuries and transfer activity have further complicated selection. Left-back options have been in flux, with Jefte omitted as he nears a move to Palmeiras and Ridvan Yilmaz sidelined. Into the breach steps Jayden Meghoma, the 19-year-old loanee from Brentford, who is expected to start at left-back in this crucial tie. Nedim Bajrami, despite scoring in the League Cup, has been dropped from the Champions League squad, while Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore and Thelo Aasgaard have been added to bolster the ranks.
Rangers’ predicted lineup for the first leg reflects both necessity and opportunity: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma; Diomande, Cameron, Raskin; Antman, Dessers, Gassama. Striker Cyriel Dessers remains a doubt after picking up a knock against Plzen, but Martin reassured supporters that the “setback is not as bad as everyone feared.” If Dessers is unable to start, Danilo is likely to lead the line, flanked by Gassama and Oliver Antman.
On the other side, Club Brugge arrive in Glasgow with confidence and pedigree. The Belgian outfit, led by Nicky Hayen, have featured in the Champions League group stages in six of the last seven seasons and reached the round of 16 last year. Their European journey this term began in the third qualifying round, where they edged out RB Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate, showcasing their ability to handle pressure and adversity. After a 1-0 away win in Austria, Brugge found themselves 2-0 down at halftime in the return leg, only to rally with goals from Joaquin Seys, Carlos Forbs, and Hans Vanaken to secure passage.
Domestically, Brugge are in fine form, having already captured the Belgian Super Cup and notching three wins in four Jupiler Pro League fixtures, including a dramatic stoppage-time victory over Zulte Waregem. The Blue-Blacks have now won six consecutive qualifying ties in Europe, a testament to their consistency and experience on the continental stage.
Club Brugge’s predicted lineup for the Glasgow showdown is equally formidable: Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Spileers, Meijer; Onyedika, Reis, Vanaken; Forbs, Tzolis, Vermant. Key players Joel Ordoñez and Michał Skóraś are sidelined due to injury, but the squad boasts depth and attacking flair. Hans Vanaken, the club captain, will make his 515th appearance, including 88 in UEFA competition—an extraordinary milestone that underlines his importance to the team’s European pedigree.
History, too, lends intrigue to this encounter. Rangers have a formidable record against Belgian opposition, winning ten of thirteen previous meetings, including all seven played at Ibrox. Club Brugge, meanwhile, have never beaten a Scottish side in three attempts, drawing 1-1 with Celtic last November and suffering a 2-1 defeat at Ibrox back in the 1992/93 Champions League group phase. The two sides also played out a lively 2-2 pre-season friendly in July, with both teams demonstrating their attacking intent.
Both squads are packed with players to watch. For Rangers, Lyall Cameron has settled in well since his move from Dundee, scoring his first goal for the club in the away leg against Plzen and offering creativity from midfield. Gassama’s goal-scoring exploits have already been highlighted, but the Frenchman’s work rate and ability to stretch defenses could be decisive. For Brugge, Carlos Forbs—formerly of Manchester City and Ajax—has taken over on the right flank and found the net against Salzburg, while Christos Tzolis and Romeo Vermant provide additional threat up front.
The tactical battle promises to be fascinating. Rangers’ strong home form in Europe contrasts with their struggles on the road, while Brugge’s resilience and ability to claw back from adversity have been hallmarks of their campaign. With both teams boasting attacking firepower and a penchant for high-scoring affairs—five of Rangers’ last six matches have seen both teams score—fans can expect an open, entertaining contest.
As the first leg approaches, the sense of anticipation is palpable. For Rangers, the chance to return to the Champions League proper for only the second time since 2010 is within reach, but Club Brugge’s recent pedigree makes them formidable opponents. The outcome at Ibrox will set the stage for a dramatic second leg in Belgium, with everything still to play for.
Whatever happens under the lights in Glasgow, one thing’s for sure: both Rangers and Club Brugge are ready to leave it all on the pitch in pursuit of European glory.
