Danilo To Lead The Line? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face Club Brugge | OneFootball

After another dismal 1-1 draw in the Premiership against St Mirren, Rangers have travelled to Belgium to clash heads with Club Brugge in the decisive return of the Champions League playoffs. They must overcome a two-goal deficit from their dreadful Ibrox defeat; however, their disastrous form under Russell Martin does not offer much hope ahead of the Wednesday night encounter.

Club Brugge, on the other hand, had a strong run in this competition last season. They remain firm favourites to make it to the main draw, and the Gers, usually resolute and relentless in Europe, have been a shadow of their earlier selves. Their performance under the previous managers was below par, and the current situation is deeply concerning, given that they have made their worst-ever start to a league campaign in 36 years.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face Club Brugge

Defence

Martin has preferred Jack Butland between the sticks, except for their League Cup tie against Falkirk. The veteran Englishman conceded three goals in 20 minutes in the first leg fixture, and therefore, must exhibit more composure and dominance in the Rangers goal.

Although the gaffer has not figured out his best XI yet, Nasser Djiga and John Souttar are featuring as the first-team centre-half so far this season. Jayden Meghoma has been deployed straightaway after his loan move from Brentford, and the 19-year-old left-back could feature again, with Max Aarons tipped to operate from the right ahead of skipper James Tavernier.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 19: Danilo of Rangers celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Rangers and Club Brugge at Ibrox Stadium on August 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Midfield

Neither a ‘double pivot’ nor a three-man midfield has worked out for the ex-Southampton boss. He must keep it simple to put his free-flowing football into practice and rely on Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande in the centre of the pitch for their vision and technical ability. Thelo Aasgaard could be an option for the ‘number 10’ spot after a failed attempt at playing him as a marksman against the Buddies. Lyall Cameron could be introduced at some stage, but the likes of Joe Rothwell and Kieran Dowell have lacked the pace and prowess to fit in Martin’s style of play.

Oliver Antman has failed to impress from the right, and so has Djeidi Gassama, who has been wasteful in recent games despite a blistering start to his Rangers career. While the latter should keep his place on the left, Mikey Moore deserves a nod from the beginning in place of the former Go Ahead Eagles winger. Finlay Curtis must be brought in from the bench as a ‘super sub’ following his late equaliser in Paisley.

Attack

Rangers have a crisis up top with Cyriel Dessers being an injury doubt after sustaining a knee injury against Viktoria Plzen. Wantaway Hamza Igamane has been banished from the training, as he refused to come in as a substitute on Sunday afternoon. This leaves Martin with Danilo as the only available ‘number 9’ option, unless he tries Aasgaard again high up the pitch.