Credit: Imago, TNT Sports Football Youtube channel

Evan Lloyd

Wed 20 August 2025 8:10, UK

Rangers were controversially denied a late goal in their Champions League play-off first leg defeat against Club Brugge at Ibrox on Tuesday night.

Russell Martin’s side were beaten 3-1 by Brugge, with Romeo Vermant, Jorne Spileers, and Brandon Mechele all scoring for the visitors in the opening 20 minutes.

Danilo got a goal back in the 50th minute, but it was not enough to overturn a calamitous first half described as “embarrassing” by Kris Boyd.

Martin is already under mounting pressure at Ibrox, after also failing to win either of Rangers’ opening fixtures of the Scottish Premiership.

Ibrox News presents the exclusive opinion of former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett.

Keith Hackett would have allowed late Rangers goal to stand

Rangers’ night got off to an embarrassing start when, after just three minutes, a confused Nasser Djiga allowed Vermant to race through on goal and dink over Jack Butland from distance.

Club Brugge’s second goal was equally as soft from a Rangers perspective, with Spileers left completely isolated inside the box and allowed to stroke home from Christos Tzolis’ corner.

Martin can have fewer complaints with his team about the third, with Mechele taking one touch on his chest outside the box, before half-volleying brilliantly into the far corner.

Rangers improved as the game went on, and debutant Jayden Meghoma’s brilliant cross allowed Danilo to restore some hope.

And Djedi Gassama thought he’d cut Club Brugges’ lead to just one in the 79th minute, when he poked the ball past Simon Mignolet and in, following a mazy run into the box.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Willy Delajod, intervened, however, and sent Francois Letexier to the monitor, with the goal being chalked off after it was decided that the goalkeeper had placed both hands on the ball.

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett exclusively told Ibrox News that he disagreed with the decision.

“The goalkeeper does not have full possession of the ball, and this allows the Rangers player to poke it into the goal,” Hackett said.

“I would have allowed this goal to stand.”

• Read more: ‘This is a joke’ – Tom English slaughters Rangers, takes aim at one player in particular

Next seven days crucial for Russell Martin

In the next week, Rangers will face St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, before travelling to Belgium for the second leg against Club Brugge.

With the pressure mounting, positive results and performances will be absolutely crucial for Martin.

Club Brugge are no pushovers – the Belgian side are a well-established Champions League team – but Rangers cannot afford to collapse against them again.

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