(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Edward Bazeley

Tue 19 August 2025 9:30, UK

Russell Martin is set to name his lineup for the most important match of his Rangers tenure so far.

Bajrami shines, Danilo terrible - Rangers player ratings v Alloa	Jack Grealish starts, star man out: Everton predicted XI vs Leeds United	Anton Stach starts: Leeds predicted XI to face Everton

The Light Blues host Belgian outfit Club Brugge on Tuesday, 19 August, in the first leg of their Champions League playoff round qualifier.

Rangers progressed past Viktoria Plzen with a 4-2 aggregate win in the last round, despite a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday, 12 August.

The Ibrox giants are already familiar with Club Brugge, having drawn 2-2 with Nicky Hayen’s men in a pre-season friendly on 6 July.

Martin is set to name his Rangers team (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Due to the injury suffered by Cyriel Dessers in Plzen, Tuesday’s clash with Club Brugge may arrive to soon for the striker to start.

Therefore, Martin will have to call upon Danilo to lead the line against Hayen’s side.

Elsewhere, the former Southampton boss must select his big-game players for such a notable occasion, which should see Nico Raskin return to the lineup, having been absent from the Premier Sports Cup win over Alloa Athletic.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Meanwhile, Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman should both start out wide, while the former Sheffield Wednesday man has four goals from as many appearances in the European games so far.

Rangers Predicted XI

Football Insider verdict

Rangers have once again shown strong form at Ibrox in European fixtures this term, earning home wins over Viktoria Plzen and Panathinaikos this summer.

OpponentResultClub Brugge (H)19/08St Mirren (A)24/08Club Brugge (A)27/08Rangers face vital clashes with Club Brugge

Both victories in Glasgow proved to make all the difference, as the Light Blues were held to a draw in their second leg with Panathinaikos in Greece before losing to Viktoria Plzen.

Martin’s men have the opportunity to draw first blood once more, as they have home advantage over Club Brugge on 19 August.

Rangers must make the most of their home tie with Hayen’s men, because the Belgian club are a strong side, who reached last season’s Champions League last 16.

Reaching the league phase of the Champions League would bring hugely positive financial ramifications for the Bears.

However, it is an opportunity that could pass them by if they head to Belgium needing a result.

Meanwhile, Rangers insider Derek Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News that Martin already has to change matters quickly.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Rangers, visit our sister site Rangers Latest Live.