Rangers vs Club Brugge - prediction, team news, lineups

Within one round of reaching the league phase, Rangers kick off their Champions League playoff tie on Tuesday, when they welcome Club Brugge to Ibrox for the first leg.

While the Glasgow giants missed out last term, their Belgian counterparts not only qualified but impressed; both boasting a proud continental past, the pair will now fight for a seat at Europe's top table.

Match preview

Defying their weak domestic form, Rangers have come through some tough tests in the Champions League this summer, leaving them one step away from a place in the league phase.

Following last month's 3-1 aggregate victory over Panathinaikos in round two, the Gers beat Viktoria Plzen 4-2 in the third qualifying round, mostly thanks to building a healthy three-goal on home turf.

They had to withstand a nervy 2-1 defeat in the return leg, adding to a slight sense of unease under new boss Russell Martin.

It has been a stuttering start to the league season for Martin's men, who drew both of their opening Scottish Premiership fixtures, leaving them four points adrift of early pace-setters Hearts and Celtic.

Doing little to alleviate such concerns, Rangers did beat Alloa Athletic in the Premier Sports Cup last weekend, though a much-changed side put on an unconvincing display against League 1 opposition.

Nonetheless, Europe often seems to be an entirely different matter for the Light Blues, who have won no fewer than 18 of 29 previous home games in Champions League qualifying.

Club Brugge have been to Ibrox as recently as July, when they let a two-goal lead slip and settled for a draw, but they will face a very different atmosphere on this occasion.

Friendlies aside, the clubs last met during the inaugural Champions League season, back in 1992-93, with a 1-1 draw in Belgium being followed by 10-man Rangers celebrating a 2-1 home win.

In last season's league phase, Brugge surpassed most expectations by winning three games to reach the knockout stage; once there, they eliminated Atalanta BC before exiting to Aston Villa.

However, they then failed to defend their Belgian Pro League title, being pipped to the post by new champions Union Saint-Gilloise in another thrilling race for first place.

Nicky Hayen's men therefore entered the third round of Champions League qualifying earlier this month, beating Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate by winning both legs.

New boy Carlos Forbs and long-serving club legend Hans Vanaken both netted in the second-leg success, as the Blau-Zwart suggested they can overcome losing several key men.

As well as gaining revenge against Union in the Super Cup, Sunday's last-gasp league win over Zulte Waregem made it four straight wins over the past fortnight, so confidence will not be in short supply.

Rangers Champions League form: W D W L

Rangers form (all competitions): D D W D L W

Club Brugge Champions League form: W W

Club Brugge form (all competitions): W L W W W W

Team News

After Russell Martin made 10 changes at the weekend, with only centre-back Nasser Djiga keeping his place against Alloa, he will revert to a full-strength lineup on Tuesday evening.

Brazilian left-back Jefte is set to join Palmeiras, and fellow wide man Oscar Cortes was also left out of the 25-man Rangers squad submitted to UEFA.

Their places have been taken by Thelo Aasgaard and Mikey Moore: Aasgaard missed out on meeting Viktoria Plzen through injury, and Moore did not receive international clearance before that tie.

While winger Djeidi Gassama has led the Light Blues in European qualifying this season with four goals, Martin will hope that main man Cyriel Dessers can recover in time to play - Danilo remains on standby.

Stepping into the shoes of Sunderland-bound Chemsdine Talbi, Club Brugge's star man in round three was Carlos Forbs, who not only scored their equaliser but also completed the most dribbles and had most touches in the opposition box.

Once again, the Portuguese forward should join Christos Tzolis and veteran skipper Hans Vanaken in the supporting cast for lone striker Romeo Vermant.

Elsewhere, Joel Ordonez and Michal Skoras are likely to miss out: the former is the subject of intense transfer interest, while the latter is nursing a knock.

Rangers possible starting lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons; Diomande, Cameron, Raskin; Antman, Dessers, Gassama

Club Brugge possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Sabbe, Mechele, Spileers, Meijer; Reis, Onyedika; Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis; Vermant

We say: Rangers 2-2 Club Brugge

Too often caught out defensively, Rangers are vulnerable at the back, and a settled Club Brugge side are well place to take advantage.

The Belgians impressed in the Champions League last season and have started well this term, so they can at least leave Scotland's second city on level terms.

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