(credit: Off The Ball)
(credit: Off The Ball)
Match

'This is a joke' - Tom English slaughters Rangers, takes aim at one player in particular

Jack Dawson
Jack Dawson

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Rangers’ Champions League ambitions took a major hit on Tuesday after a 3-1 defeat against Club Brugge.

The Gers went into the match just two matches away from qualification. However, an awful first-half performance saw the hosts 3-0 down.

While Danilo did pull a goal back in the second period, the Glaswegians will now go into the second leg with a massive task on their hands.

Rangers’ defending under Russell Martin has been scrutinised throughout his reign, and now Tom English has slammed their performance.

Rangers-linked Russell Martin
Russell Martin has struggled so far at Rangers (Credit: Imago)

Nasser Djiga named and shamed over Rangers clanger

Rangers were exposed multiple times against Club Brugge. 

Nasser Djiga made another awful mistake for Rangers just three minutes in, which opened the floodgates at Ibrox. 

After 19 minutes, the Gers were 3-0 down, and could have found themselves further behind multiple times. 

  • Martin is already under heavy pressure at Rangers
  • Many of the Ibrox fanbase walked out after the third goal
  • Rangers are currently set to be relegated to the Europa League

Speaking at half-time, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sports writer English was appalled by the display, labelling the performance as a “joke”.

He told BBC Sport on 19 August: "Rangers look like a pub team at the back.

"Nasser Djiga just gives up for the first goal. It's hard to remember defending as bad as this.

"This is a joke of a performance."

How bad was Rangers’ defence vs Club Brugge?

Many Rangers players will want to forget their performance against Club Brugge.

According to Fotmob on 19 August, Jack Butland, Max Aarons and Djiga were awful, with the latter picking up a dreadful 5.4 rating. 

Nasser Djiga vs Club Brugge
Tackles won0
Errors leading to goals 1
Dribbled past 1
Defensive contributions 1
Passing completion93%
Rating 5.4
Djiga struggled against Club Brugge in the first-leg defeat

If Rangers are to do anything this season, Martin has to fix his backline. 

If not, the Scotsman could face the sack within weeks, with the Rangers seemingly relying on a Jack Butland masterclass if they are to win. 

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Tom English
UEFA Champions League
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