Club Brugge hoping key players can take advantage of Rangers indifferent start under Russel Martin | OneFootball

After overcoming one tough test in the last round in the form of RB Salzburg, Club Brugge were handed yet another tough opponent as they look to qualify for the Champions League. Tomorrow evening the side will be back in Glasgow to face Rangers, with the two sides having already seen each other once this season in a preseason friendly. This time there is far more riding on the game than getting miles into the legs. Neither side has started their domestic season in hot form, but Club Brugge have been more convincing in terms of results than Russel Martin’s Rangers.

The former Southampton man is yet to win in the league, with two draws from the opening two games. So far, they have beaten Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen to reach this round. Last weekend, Rangers beat Alloa Athletic 4-2 in the League Cup. Club Brugge left it late to beat newly promoted Zulte Waregem 1-0 at the weekend.

If Club Brugge are to progress to the next round, they will need the likes of Hans Vanaken and Christos Tzolis to be firing. Both have started the season in good form and were key players for the side last season. Club Brugge rejected an offer for Greek star Tzolis at the weekend. Crystal Palace see the wingers as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, but the Belgian side have informed the Premier League club that Tzolis will not be leaving Club Brugge during this window.

If Club Brugge can avoid defeat at what will likely be a fantastic Ibrox atmosphere on Tuesday, they will be confident of getting the job done at home. Moreover, Rangers have a huge game following the second leg, with the scheduling computer having somehow but their clash with Celtic in the same week as the Champions League qualifier. Club Brugge, on the other hand, will be up against a Gent side struggling to start the campaign.

The preseason friendly between the two sides finished 2-2, and hopefully the sides will treat the neutrals to a few goals across both legs. Club Brugge have recently strengthened the side with the signing of Mamadou Diakhon from Reims, but he is unlikely to feature in this game. Instead, the likes of Carlos Forbs could get more game time, having made a great impact in the sides victory over Salzburg in the last round.

Club Brugge look set to be without defender Joel Ordonez for the clash. However, Brandon Mechele has had a solid start to the campaign and will lead the back line alongside Jorne Spileers, with the experienced Simon Mignolet in goal behind them.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson