Rangers have actually won ten of 13 previous encounters with Belgian opposition, including all seven played at Ibrox, most-recently defeating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 in January.
Club Brugge drew 1-1 with Celtic at Parkhead in November, meaning they've never beaten a Scottish side in three attempts.
That's because, the sole previous encounters between this pair came in the Champions League group phase in 1992/93, drawing 1-1 at Jan Breydelstadion, before Rangers prevailed 2-1 in Glasgow.
Rangers vs Club Brugge preview
Both Rangers and Club Brugge will feel the Champions League is where they belong, but only one will make it, so will this first leg leave us any closer to knowing who will reach the promised land?
Rangers have only featured in the Champions League proper once since 2010, this three years ago, dumped out in qualifiers by PSV Eindhoven and Dynamo Kyiv subsequently. So far this time round, Russell Martin's team have largely impressed in Europe, playing four ties already just to get here. First, the Light Blues overcame Panathinaikos, prevailing 2-0 at home before a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Athens, with new signing Djeidi Gassama announcing himself by scoring in both legs.
Then, a fortnight ago, Gassama bagged a brace as the Gers demolished Viktoria Plzeň 3-0 at Ibrox, comprehensively batter than the Czech side throughout, making last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Stadion města Plzně, in which Lyall Cameron scored his first for the club, a mere footnote. More broadly, Martin's start to life as Rangers manager has far from all been plain sailing. He is yet to win in the Premiership, held to 1-1 draws by Motherwell and Dundee, while they struggled to overcome third-tier Alloa Athletic in the League Cup on Saturday evening, eventually prevailing 4-2. Nevertheless, their European blueprint has been effective to date, so will Rangers establish a first leg lead at Ibrox?
As for Club Brugge, they've featured in the Champions League group stages in six of the last seven seasons, reaching the competition's round of 16 last year, so are expected to get there again. Nicky Hayen's team were certainly made to work hard to overcome RB Salzburg in the previous round, winning 1-0 in Austria, but then finding themselves 2-0 by half time at home six nights later. Nevertheless, Joaquin Seys equalised on aggregate just after the hour mark, before late goals from Carlos Forbs and then Hans Vanaken saw them progress in West Flanders.
This means the Blue-Blacks have now won each of their last six qualifying ties, dating back eight years, also notably smashing Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate earlier this calendar year. Domestically, Brugge have already picked up the Supercoupe de Belgique and won three of four Jupiler Pro League fixtures, most recently beating Zulte Waregem 1-0 on Saturday, albeit requiring a stoppage time goal from substitute Shandre Campbell at Regenboogstadion to snatch the points.
Ahead of next Wednesday's second leg at Jan Breydelstadion, can Brugge collect a result in Glasgow, or will Rangers, roared on by a raucous crowd at Ibrox, establish a first leg lead on Tuesday night?
Rangers vs Club Brugge head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 2.
- Rangers Wins: 1. Draws: 1. Club Brugge Wins: Zero.
Rangers team news
Russell Martin made ten changes for Saturday's League Cup win, with Nasser Djiga the only made to keep his place from Plzeň, while Emmanuel Fernandez and Mikey Moore both debuted.
Ahead of this one, none of Rıdvan Yılmaz, Jefté nor Óscar Cortés have been included in the squad, meaning it'll be Max Aarons at left-back, while summer signing Thelo Aasgaard does feature in a UEFA squad for the first time, having debuted off the bench against Alloa following injury.
Having missed the previous five fixtures due to an injury of his own, Hamza Igamane came off the bench at the weekend, but it'll be Cyriel Dessers who is leading the line.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Club Brugge: (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons; Raskin, Diomandé, Cameron; Antman, Gassama, Dessers.
Rangers player to watch vs Club Brugge
Djeidi Gassama has been the star of Rangers' Champions League adventure so far, scoring four goals in four games, so will the Frenchman be the hero at Ibrox once again?
Club Brugge team news
Key centre-back Joel Ordóñez remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while winger Michał Skóraś won't feature either, having picked up an injury against Mechelen back on 1 August.
Meantime, Nicky Hayen made five changes for the weekend win at Zulte Waregem, with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet amongst those set to return, making his 62nd European appearance for the club.
Club Brugge predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-3-3): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Spileers, Meijer; Onyedika, Reis, Vanaken; Forbs, Tzolis, Vermant.
Club Brugge player to watch vs Rangers
Club captain Hans Vanaken will feature for Brugge for the 515th time, 88 of his appearances to date come in UEFA competition, including 62 in the Champions League, scoring 14 times in Europe's premier tournament, so will he be the difference in Glasgow?
Rangers vs Club Brugge prediction
We are forecasting a high-scoring, entertaining first leg at Ibrox, one in which Rangers establish a very narrow first leg advantage to take with them to Belgium: Rangers 2-1 Club Brugge.
Rangers vs Club Brugge FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Rangers vs Club Brugge in the Champions League on TV channel?
Rangers vs Club Brugge in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: Paramount+ & TUDN USA
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Rangers vs Club Brugge in the Champions League on live streaming?
Rangers vs Club Brugge in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: Paramount+ & TUDN USA
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Rangers vs Club Brugge in the Champions League?
Rangers vs Club Brugge takes place on Tuesday 19 August 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).