Rangers facing Champions League exit after early collapse against Club Brugge
And further strikes from Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele had the visitors 3-0 up after just 20 minutes.
A disastrous start for Rangers 😫
A huge mix-up between the back line, gives Romeo Vermant a chance and he takes full advantage finishing brilliantly 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/UB81M76kIu
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 19, 2025
Brazilian striker Danilo pulled a goal back four minutes after the break and the home side rallied, but the Belgian outfit stood firm.
The return game against Nicky Hayen's men in Belgium next Wednesday will require a huge turnaround, albeit the Govan club are assured Europa League group phase football at least.
Wins over Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in previous qualifiers revealed flaws in Russell Martin's new-look Gers side and raised concerns in the stands, as did back-to-back draws to start the William Hill Premiership campaign.
And once again the former Southampton boss incurred the ire of the Light Blue legions.
Martin made 10 changes for Saturday's 4-2 Premier Sports Cup victory over Alloa and seven for the visit of the Belgian outfit.
The news that elicited the most surprise was that 19-year-old England youth international Jayden Meghoma, who signed on loan from Brentford on Sunday, went straight in at left-back with Max Aarons preferred to experienced club captain James Tavernier at right-back.
Jack Butland, John Souttar, Mohamed Diomande, Oliver Antman, Djeidi Gassama, and Nicolas Raskin all returned.
Greece international Christos Tzolis, who scored for Greece against Scotland at Hampden Park in March and who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, started for the visitors, while former Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet was in goal.
All eyes were on Meghoma, who spent last season on loan at Preston, and he started positively.
But a horror mistake by Djiga allowed Tzolis' pass to give Vermant an easy finish which stunned everyone inside the ground.
The Gers fans were coming to terms with the needless loss of a goal when Tzolis' corner from the right was knocked past Butland by the unmarked Spileers from 12 yards.
The boos that rang round the ground intensified when Mechele, making his 500th appearance for Brugge, stepped all too easily in front of Danilo just outside the Rangers box and gave Butland no chance with an arrowed right-footed drive.
Light Blues midfielder Joe Rothwell clipped the outside of a post with a free-kick from 25 yards in the 26th minute.
But it was not the signal for a comeback as Butland brilliantly beat away a drive from Carlos Forbes, with the home defence again split open.
A three-goal deficit at the break left the Gers support in a state of shock but they got a lifeline when Danilo slid in to convert an enticing cross from Meghoma.
Brugge stepped up the pace and amid a flurry of corners, Butland made a fine from Joel Ordonez.
Gassama's angled-drive skipped inches past the far post before Mohamed Diomande and Danilo were replaced by Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard.
Gassama had the ball in the Brugge net in the 78th minute but French referee Francois Letexier was asked by VAR to check his pitchside monitor and quickly decided that Mignolet had the ball in his hand before it was bundled into the net.
The Light Blues second-half display was heartening but it was a chastening first 20 minutes which keeps the spotlight on Martin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Chelsea line up future move for Brighton star as transfer deal is agreed
Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso is being lined up for a future at Stamford Bridge after agreeing a deal with BlueCo – the group that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg. The 21-year-old had been tipped for big things after announcing himself to Premier League fans with a Puskas Award-nominated strike against Manchester City to help Brighton secure a place in the 2023/24 Europa League. But Enciso struggled to nail down a starting spot on the south coast and spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich, where he racked up two goals and three assists in 13 appearances. Following Ipswich's relegation into the Championship, Enciso made it clear he was keen to explore possible opportunities away from the Amex Stadium, with regular first-team minutes seen as an absolute priority. According to The Athletic, BlueCo have now agreed personal terms with Enciso's camp and the Paraguay international is expected to join up with Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg imminently. However, the report claims Enciso is 'viewed as a long-term Chelsea player' by Todd Boehly's BlueCo consortium, who completed a takeover of the west London giants in 2022. After assuming control of Strasbourg 12 months later, Boehly spoke about the multi-club model providing a route for young talent to force their way into the reckoning at Chelsea. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . 'We can show pathways for our young superstars to get onto the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game-time,' the American billionaire said. Enciso will no doubt be desperate to make an impression in French football with Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior, but the youngster first has to work his way back from knee surgery – which has kept him sidelined since May. The injury meant Enciso did not feature in Brighton's pre-season plans or in the side's 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Brighton's hierarchy had been in agreement that Enciso would be surplus to requirements for the new season, with Fabian Hurzeler well stocked in midfield. Enciso had just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Seagulls. Speaking to ABC Paraguay in May, Enciso revealed that he was keen to enjoy the summer with his loved ones before determining his future. 'I'll think about what I'm going to do later,' Enciso said at the time. 'I don't know yet what I will do. 'I want to enjoy time with my family and then I'll think about what I'm going to do.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle star 'likes' post slamming Alexander Isak as Liverpool plot second transfer bid MORE: Eberechi Eze makes decision over Arsenal transfer as Gunners hijack Tottenham move MORE: Alan Shearer tells Alexander Isak to take drastic action amid Liverpool transfer 'mess'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Jefte Rangers transfer exit confirmed as club bank profit
The transfer deal will see Rangers bank a significant profit on the £800k fee they paid to sign the defender from Fluminense. Palmeiras had identified Jefte as a key target, with talks kicked off last week over an agreement. The transfer deal also includes performance-related add-ons and a sell-on clause. A club statement confirmed: "Rangers Football Club can today confirm the departure of Jefté to Palmeiras for an undisclosed fee. "The 21-year-old, who joined the club in May 2024, made 56 appearances for Rangers during his time in Glasgow. "Everyone at Rangers thanks Jefté for his contribution while at the club, and we wish him well for his future career." Read more: "He was in yesterday morning and things have transpired that he's not here now, but we'll have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of days," Russell Martin told BBC Scotland of a deal for Jefte last week. "It's looking likely he will be on his way and if he goes, he goes with everyone's best wishes and if for whatever reason because this is football it doesn't happen, he'll be welcomed back. "We wouldn't let Jefte go if we didn't have plans to make sure we're not left short there." Rangers had moved quickly to sign Jayden Meghoma on loan from Brentford as Jefte headed for the exit. The full-back made his debut in the Champions League play-off round first leg defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Rodgers in telling response to 'sack the board' Celtic chant
Loud boos could be heard with chants of 'sack the board' echoing inside the stadium both during the match and after the final whistle. However, Rodgers suggested it's managers who pay the price rather than the board at any football club as he responded to the fan anger. Asked if he could understand the frustration from supporters, he told TNT Sports: "Yeah, absolutely. But I also understand when it's 'sack the board,' I don't know any board who gets sacked. Read more: "It's normally the manager at any club, it's the manager who gets the sack, not the board. "But listen we have to go away and analyse tonight and see where we could be better and like i said, the guys who are out there, they're giving their all and giving everything. "But like we've said many times, in order to progress at this level and into European football, we need to have more. It's as simple as that. "We won't have that for Tuesday, we get concentration now for Saturday, it's a big game against Livingston." On whether his squad has enough quality to compete in the Champions League, should they advance to the league phase, Rodgers said: "I've said it clear. I can't keep going on about it every press conference I have, it's so, so clear what this team needs. "Nights like that do (highlight it). "It's always going to, each level you go through - this is a good team that understands the game, they're talented players and they're used to winning. "We know what we have to improve."
