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Rangers have left themselves a mountain to climb next week in Belgium after losing 3-1 at home to Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.
Russell Martin’s side paid the price for a cataclysmic opening 20 minutes at Ibrox. They trailed the visitors by three goals and appeared in danger of getting a real hiding from Club Brugge before rallying after the break. Danilo netted not long after the restart and while Djeidi Gassama had a goal disallowed towards the end, they could not add to their tally.
It means the Belgians are red-hot favourites to progress to the Champions League, with Rangers needing a result for the ages in Brugge to avoid Europa League football.
Romeo Vermant put Club Brugge ahead on two minutes, chipping over Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland after the stopper and defender Nasser Djiga left a long ball to each other in a dreadful breakdown in communication.
Worse was to follow when Jorne Spileers netted from close range on seven minutes after a well-worked Club Brugge corner.
Ibrox descended into boos and jeers when Belgian defender Brandon Mechele fired home a fine strike from the edge of the penalty box on 20 minutes, with the Belgians threatening to run riot.
Rangers regrouped at the interval and Danilo netted on 52 minutes, sliding in to convert a good cross from debutant Jayden Meghoma.
Gassama had a goal disallowed on 79 minutes when he was deemed to have kicked the ball out of Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s hands and Nicky Hayen’s men take a very handy advantage back to Belgium for next Wednesday’s second leg.
5. Nasser Djiga
What was going on for that opener? Let Vermant run past him to score after a misunderstanding with Butland. Failed to rediscover his composure for the next 20 minutes. Marginal improvement but damage was done. 3 | SNS Group
6. Jayden Meghoma
A tough debut for the left-back defensively. Completely thrown to the wolves in this Rangers system. Some promise going forward and put in an excellent cross for Danilo to score. Tired and replaced by Tavernier. 5 | SNS Group
7. Joe Rothwell
The game completely passed him by in the first half and offered little defensive cover. Came into it a lot more in the second half and put in some nice passes. 4 | SNS Group
8. Nicolas Raskin
Shown up by his Belgian counterpart Hans Vanaken as a paper-bag resistance was shown in the first half. A bit more tenacious in the second period as Rangers grew into the match. 5 | SNS Group