Rangers fans turn on Russell Martin after humiliating Brugge defeat

Martin and his players have their own unwanted piece of Rangers folklore. The prospect of an Old Firm fixture on Sunday - and the possibility of falling nine points adrift in the Premiership - will certainly not raise spirits. 

Nicolo Tresoldi put the tie beyond any doubt as he opened the scoring five minutes in. When Max Aarons was sent off just seconds later, Rangers were staring at a humiliating defeat. That unfolded in staggering fashion.

Read more:

• 'The only thing I regret', Ibrox pressure, Martin's future - Robin Propper interview

• Rangers hold talks over Bojan Miovski transfer with Hamza Igamane heads to Lille

Hans Vanaken headed home from a corner to double the lead before Joaquin Seys made it 3-0. It was four when Seys converted from close range.

And it was five when Aleksandar Stankovic when was left unmarked to nod in from six yards. Mercifully, a Christos Tzolis strike was not the precursor to Brugge storming towards a double-digit victory.

Fans turn on boss Martin

To say that this could have been much, much worse was an understatement. Rangers were outfought, outthought and outclassed. They were left battered and bruised by Brugges. 

Martin did his best to talk up the chances of Rangers recovering from the 3-1 defeat at Ibrox last week. He may have believed it, but the fans wouldn't have. Perhaps his players didn't either. 

Rangers were always going to lose this tie and more than likely lose the match. But to go down like this was quite something. It was that bad it had to be seen to be believed. No words can do a performance and a result like this justice.

Some supporters have long expressed an opinion that qualifying for the Champions League would have been a disaster for Rangers this term. The financial benefits would have been dwarfed by the sporting disparity. If this is what Brugge can do to this side then it doesn’t bear thinking about how Rangers would cope against the top teams on the continent.

The Jan Breydelstadion was a cauldron of colour and noise. High up to Martin’s right, the band of those in red, white and blue were drowned out and despondent. After 34 minutes, a chorus of ‘Martin, Martin get to f***’ was heard. It was repeated at various stages. Those fans – all of whom would have spent considerable sums to travel here and many of whom will have been across Europe season after season – had seen enough on the night. Some have seen enough overall.

In the eyes of that section of the support, Martin is already done as head coach. Even those who had backed the boss before this will be doing some soul searching right now. The American ownership group will be at Ibrox on Sunday for the Old Firm fixture. If they needed an insight into the severity of the situation they are overseeing, it will play out over a match that Martin simply has to win.

Rangers crumble to woeful loss

The free-kick from Thelo Aasgaard ended up in the section that housed the Brugges Ultras behind the goal. Simon Mignolet could have joined the punters and waved one of the black and blue flags. It would have at least kept him busy. Rangers certainly did not.

The concession of the early goal and the dismissal of Aarons naturally inhibited Rangers. It was attack versus defence. And given how bad that defensive unit is right now, that was never going to end well for Martin.

Rangers were penned in and couldn’t get out. The lack of quality was always going to be evident. But Rangers were devoid of any tactical shape, of any leadership and of any character. This was an utterly embarrassing showing that should shame Martin and his players.

Yes, the red card changed the game. Surely Martin would have planned for that eventuality, though? If you find yourself in the worst-case scenario, you should know how to react. Rather than respond in adversity, Rangers collapsed. Again. Rangers were a mess, a collection of individuals that looked totally out of their depth.

The players had to take their share of the blame for the way in which they capitulated. Martin must carry the can overall. This was on him. There is a way to lose in adversity. This was certainly not it.

Brilliant Brugge hit the goal trail

It was so, so easy. Again. The first ball over the top of the Rangers defence saw Jayden Meghoma collect a booking for fouling Carlos Forbs. The second ended with Aarons sent off as he hauled down Tzolis.

In between those moments that exposed this dodgy defence, Brugge had taken the lead with a move that was simple but effective. Oliver Antman was subbed off as James Tavernier took Aarons’ spot at right-back. The Finn should have been hooked for his effort at the opening goal alone. He stopped and failed to track the run of Seys. Nasser Djiga was the wrong side of Tresoldi and a header from six yards ended this tie. Not that it was ever in doubt.

Jack Butland made two saves – one from Tzolis and the other from Forbs – as Brugge piled on the pressure. A terrific strike from Tzolis rattled the bar and deserved better, while Brandon Mechele’s header was held by the keeper.

The stop to deny Aleksandar Stankovic was the best of the lot to that point. From the following corner, Vanaken rose above Danilo and headed beyond Butland. The skipper hit the woodwork from the right channel minutes later.

Butland saved from Seys before the left-back scored at the second attempt. It was 4-0 as Seys converted at the back post and Stankovic made it five with a header before the whistle. Had it not been for Butland, the European record 7-1 defeat to Liverpool would have been surpassed after 45 minutes.

Tzolis made it 6-0 within minutes of the restart as he finished well across Butland. The Englishman was the standout for Rangers. The chances continued to come. Thankfully, the goals did not.

Raskin call set the tone for the night

There is perhaps not a player who has been discussed more this season than Nico Raskin. At the start of the term, some supporters were calling for him to be handed the armband and a new contract. Since then, his place at the club, never mind his place in the team, has been questioned.

The Belgian seemed an almost certain starter on his return to his homeland. Martin had other ideas, though. Joe Rothwell was put in at No.6 and Lyall Cameron and Aasgaard sat ahead of him. It was a bold call from Martin and one which immediately saw supporters start to theorise about what the final days of the transfer window could hold.

Martin spoke about Raskin having his head turned by transfer speculation during the previous round with Viktoria Plzen. This week, he did not name the players who he felt were uncertain and who could not commit fully to the cause.

Martin justified the decision by stating that he had gone for the ‘most attacking team’ that he could. The inclusion of Aasgaard supported that standpoint. Yet his other assertion about the ‘freshest team’ raised an eyebrow and it was Rothwell that most would have expected Raskin to start ahead of as a seventh different midfield trio was selected in ten matches this term.

Raskin was introduced at the break alongside Mohamed Diomande as Rothwell and Aasgaard were removed. Findlay Curtis also drew a short straw and was called upon. It was never going to make any difference, of course.

Transfer plans are no consolation

Confirmation that Rangers had agreed a deal to sell Hamza Igamane came in the aftermath of Martin addressing the Moroccan’s future at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening. The line from Martin that Igamane would pass a medical said it all as a career at Ibrox came to an ignominious and messy end.

A fee of just over £10million gives Rangers extra scope to move in the market. As reported by the Rangers Review on Wednesday afternoon, discussions have been held in an attempt to bring Bojan Miovski to Ibrox before the close of business next week. Youssef Chermiti, the Everton striker, is also under consideration as Martin looks to replace Igamane.

If another forward were to move on, another would need to come in. Cyriel Dessers continues to attract interest. Was the decision not to start him here influenced by that movable situation?

The need for attacking reinforcements was evident long before this fixture. Indeed, the need for reinforcements in many areas was clear before a ball was kicked in the play-off round. This squad is so short of where it needs to be tactically, mentally and physically.

A left-sided centre-back and left-back are non-negotiables on the list alongside a No.9. Martin cannot say that he has not been supported emotionally and financially. Some will begrudge another penny being given to the head coach. The coming days will be decisive in more ways than one.