Rangers’ Champions League dream ended in brutal fashion as Russell Martin’s side suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge in the second leg, sealing their European exit with an aggregate score that left fans stunned and frustrated.
Before the match, Martin spoke with optimism about his vision for Rangers’ future — a team that would “click,” score freely, and play beautiful football. He asked for patience, promising that when his system comes together, “it will be beautiful, and we’ll all share it together.”
But when the final whistle blew in Bruges, the mood could not have been further from hopeful. Instead, Martin faced the cameras with a tone of pain and humility, apologizing to supporters and vowing to do better.
“We are hurting, we’re embarrassed. We know this wasn’t good enough,” Martin admitted. “The board has been amazingly supportive, and they understand that this might take time.”
The performance has intensified the scrutiny on the Rangers manager, who is still waiting for his first Premiership win after four league draws. Many fans questioned whether such a bold approach was realistic given the team’s current struggles — they have conceded goals against teams like Alloa from Scotland’s third tier and struggled to beat Motherwell, Dundee, and St Mirren in recent weeks.
While Martin continues to preach patience and insists his long-term vision will bear fruit, supporters are growing restless. For a fanbase used to seeing Rangers compete fiercely at home and abroad, patience is wearing thin, and calls for immediate improvement are growing louder.
For now, Martin remains determined to stick to his philosophy, but the pressure is mounting — and results must come soon if he is to keep the dressing room, the board, and the fans onside.
