Rangers have actually won three of their six previous visits to Belgium, including beating both Royal Antwerp and Standard Liège during the 2020/21 season. Their most recent trip resulted in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise three years ago.
Club Brugge vs Rangers preview
These two legged affairs are always decided across 180 minutes, sometimes more, but this particularly tie was effectively all over after 20, possible even seven.
Last Tuesday night, when the Champions League anthem echoed around Ibrox, the atmosphere was raucous, but it would quickly turn mutinous. Club Brugge were gifted two goals in the opening seven minutes; Romeo Vermant lobbing Jack Butland from distance, before Jorne Spileers was permitted the freedom of Glasgow to slot home a corner. Thus, when Brandon Mechele lashed home a third before even the 20 minutes mark, many donning light blue had seen enough. Danilo did reduce the deficit shortly after half time, but 1-3 it ended, leaving Rangers with a mountain to climb in Belgium.
All in all, it's not been the dream start to life as Rangers manager for Russell Martin. He is yet to win a Premiership match, drawing all three fixtures 1-1. Following very underwhelming stalemates with Motherwell and Dundee, the Gers required a late deflected shot from Findlay Curtis to pinch a point against St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday. Already six points adrift leaders Celtic, with the first Old Firm of the season to come at Ibrox on Sunday, the title race could be over on the final day of August.
In fairness to Martin, Rangers had been impressive in the Champions League, dumping out both Panathinaikos and then Viktoria Plzeň, but any good will that generated quickly evaporated as a result of last Tuesday's ignominious capitulation. Thus, a comeback in West Flanders appears very unlikely, with Rangers destiny, once again, appearing likely to be in the Europa League.
As for Club Brugge, in stark contrast, they're in good shape to qualify for the Champions League for the seventh time in eight seasons, getting all the way to the round of 16 last time round. By ousting RB Salzburg earlier this month, the Blue-Blacks have now won each of their last six qualifiers, most-recently losing one against AEK Athens in 2017, very much on course to extend that sequence.
Nicky Hayen's team were not in action over the weekend, their clash with Westerlo postponed to allow them to focus on this tie, but they have won three out of four Jupiler Pro League fixtures to date, also defeating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in last month's Supercoupe de Belgique. Thus, not only are Brugge firm favourites to progress, they'll probably collect another win at Jan Breydelstadion.
Club Brugge vs Rangers head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 3.
- Club Brugge Wins: 1. Draws: 1. Rangers Wins: 1.
Club Brugge team news
Given how dominant his side were at Ibrox, don't expect Nicky Hayen to change very much. Star centre-back Joel Ordóñez was an unused substitute in Glasgow, still working his way back to fitness, so he'll be hoping to see some action.
Romeo Vermant, who rather opened the floodgates last Tuesday, was replaced by Nicolò Tresoldi at half time, so is actually a doubt. Whoever leads the line, Christos Tzolis and Carlos Forbs will be dangerous from wide areas, as they were eight nights ago.
Club Brugge predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-3-3): Mignolet; Sabbe, Mechele, Spileers, Seys; Onyedika, Stanković, Vanaken; Forbs, Tzolis, Tresoldi.
Club Brugge player to watch vs Rangers
Captain Hans Vanaken will make his 90th appearance in UEFA competition for Club Brugge, 64 of which have come in the Champions League (including qualifiers), so will he add to his 21 European goals for the club?
Rangers team news
The bombshell news following Sunday's draw was Russell Martin's claim that striker Hamza Igamane had asked not to come on at half time against St Mirren, citing fitness concerns, a few days after the club had rejected a bid from Lille for the striker.
Assuming Igamane is not available, first leg scorer Danilo will lead the line, after Thelo Aasgaard did so in Paisley, with Cyriel Dessers currently injured. Nasser Djiga's last two appearances have produced a red card and a calamitous error, but he could return to defence, having been suspended.
After arriving on loan from Brentford, left-back Jayden Meghoma was thrown straight into action for the first leg, with Max Aarons once again chosen over club captain James Tavernier on the opposite side, so will that continue?
Rangers predicted lineup vs Club Brugge: (4-3-3): Butland; Aarons, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma; Raskin, Diomandé, Cameron; Antman, Gassama, Danilo.
Rangers player to watch vs Club Brugge
Summer signing Djeidi Gassama has been the star of this otherwise uninspiring Rangers side so far, scoring four goals in Champions League qualifying to date, so can he inspire a comeback?
Club Brugge vs Rangers prediction
A zeitgeist at Rangers right now is completely toxic, so we cannot see them producing a comeback on Wednesday, with a comfortable Club Brugge victory far more likely: Club Brugge 3-0 Rangers.
Club Brugge vs Rangers FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Club Brugge vs Rangers in the Champions League on TV channel?
Club Brugge vs Rangers in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Club Brugge vs Rangers in the Champions League on live streaming?
Club Brugge vs Rangers in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Club Brugge vs Rangers in the Champions League?
Club Brugge vs Rangers takes place on Wednesday 27 August 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).