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Rangers in deep trouble after suffering heavy loss to Brugge in Champions League play-off

Club Brugge KV secured an important lead in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off clash with Rangers as they prevailed 3-1 in Scotland.

After winning at Ibrox in both of their UCL qualifying ties so far this campaign – and with each victory coming in the first leg – Rangers will have been eager to begin on the front foot once more.

However, Russell Martin’s men endured an opening 20-minute spell that can only be described as a nightmare.

Brugge needed less than three minutes to underway the scoring when Nasser Djiga incomprehensibly left the ball for Jack Butland despite the goalkeeper being in no position to sweep up, allowing Romeo Vermant to lob him from distance.

By the seventh minute, Rangers were further behind as Jorne Spileers steered into the bottom corner via a John Souttar deflection from Christos Tzolis’ corner.

The Gers’ misery was compounded further thanks to Brandon Mechele’s stunning half-volley from the edge of the box, with the hosts in danger of falling to an utterly demoralising scoreline.

To their credit, they recovered slightly and could have reduced the deficit had Joe Rothwell’s free-kick curled inside the woodwork instead of hitting the post.

 Match statsBetopickStill, Butland needed to be alert to palm Carlos Forbs’ strike to safety at the other end shortly before the interval to keep the deficit to just three goals.

One can only speculate as to what Martin said to his team at the break, but whatever words he spoke had the desired effect as Rangers soon pulled one back.

Jayden Meghoma’s cross was on a plate for Danilo Pereira, who jabbed home from close range to give the home faithful renewed hope.

Djeidi Gassama – scorer of four goals already in UCL qualifying this term – fired an effort from outside the area just wide of the post.

The Frenchman thought he had got himself on the scoresheet shortly after, but his effort was ruled out as Simon Mignolet had his hands on the ball when the Frenchman poked home.

Player ratingsBetopickUltimately, Rangers were unable to beat Mignolet again and must now win by two goals in Belgium next week just to enforce ET.

Brugge, meanwhile, are now unbeaten in their last seven UCL qualifying games and have lost only one of their past 13 in all competitions.

 Therefore, they will feel confident of getting the job done at the Jan Breydel Stadium to reach the tournament proper for the 10th year in a row.

Betopick Man of the Match: Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge KV)Catch up on the match stats with Betopick