Genk in ‘crisis’ as new update emerges ahead of Rangers clash
Rangers will return to European action as they face Belgian side Genk in their first Europa League match.
Russell Martin will hope to build upon Rangers’ victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup, after a disastrous start to the league season.
Rangers reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season, but criticism has been placed over how they cannot replicate their European form domestically.
The game against Genk will present Rangers with an opportunity to win at Ibrox, given the crisis that the Belgian side find themselves in.
Genk facing several issues for Rangers trip
Rangers have the chance to get their Europa League campaign off to a perfect start with a victory over Genk, with manager Thorsten Fink under huge pressure amid calls for the sack.
Genk are 14th in the Belgian Pro League after a woeful start to the season, and have failed to win their last three games.
| Stat | Russell Martin | Thorsten Fink |
| Matches | 13 | 10 |
| Wins | 4 | 3 |
| Draws | 5 | 2 |
| Losses | 4 | 5 |
| Goals | 17 | 16 |
| Conceded | 19 | 15 |
| Points per game | 1.31 | 1.10 |
| League position | 11th | 14th |
They have won just two of their eight league matches, and Belgian outlet Voetbalniewus.be has now reported that Genk will be without two key players for the trip to Ibrox, as Fink faces a “crisis” run of form.
Attacking midfielder Daan Heymans and winger Yira Sor will both be missing, but Genk have been handed a boost as Konstantinos Karetsas is now available again.
Rangers have to make statement vs Genk
Given the situation Genk find themselves in, Rangers have no excuse to not play on the front foot and win, especially with their home advantage.
Genk have struggled all season, and their manager could be sacked if they do not win at Ibrox. With this in mind, Rangers need to play without fear, and need to take the handbrake off.
This would be a good opportunity to make a statement, and get some of their forwards firing in front of goal, but if Rangers lose at home to a side in crisis, it will be a disaster.
Genk fans probably feel the same way about facing Martin’s Rangers, and the manager needs a win to show that he is capable of instilling some improvement at Ibrox.
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