Rangers 0-1 Genk: Russell Martin’s side sink to another damaging defeat at Ibrox | OneFootball

Rangers’ dismal start to the season continued as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Belgian side Genk at Ibrox, piling further pressure on manager Russell Martin. Former Celtic striker Hyeon-Gyu Oh scored the decisive goal on his return to Glasgow, condemning the hosts to their fifth defeat of the season already.

As it happened

With large patches of empty seats at Ibrox, Rangers began nervously as Genk created some early openings on the break.

The hosts gradually grew into the contest, with John Souttar’s header looking destined for goal before Genk captain Bryan Heymen produced a remarkable acrobatic clearance on the line to deny the Rangers defender a birthday goal.

Genk had big chances themselves, as Oh squandered a gilt-edged chance from close range before Patrik Hrošovský hit the post with a clever effort after a silky touch to bring the ball down in the box.

However, the main talking point of the first half came from the VAR drama. Mohamed Diomande was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Zakaria El Ouahdi, before James Tavernier clipped Yaimar Medina in the box to concede a penalty just before the break. Oh stepped up to the spot but was denied by Jack Butland, adding to his frustrating return to Glasgow.

The Korean forward wasted another chance early in the second half, before finally finding the net after 57 minutes. Left in acres of space after Rangers were caught wide open, he steadied himself before firing past Butland. The former Celtic man celebrated wildly as he removed his shirt in front of the home crowd, only heightening the tensions among the Ibrox faithful.

Oh thought he had a second with 20 minutes remaining, only for VAR to rule it out for offside earlier in the move. Rangers pushed forward late on, with substitute Connor Barron denied by a brilliant headed clearance after good work from Djeidi Gassama, but Genk held firm to seal a valuable away win in Europe.

Tonight’s defeat, coupled with their worst start to a league season in almost half a century, leaves Russell Martin facing a seemingly insurmountable level of scrutiny ahead of Sunday’s trip to Livingston. With the Rangers fanbase on the brink of an outburst, anything less than a victory on Sunday may end the Englishman’s short stay in Glasgow.

For Genk, this result could prove a turning point after a tough start to the campaign. With a first clean sheet of the season and star striker Oh back amongst the goals, the Belgian side will hope to use this win to kickstart their season into life.

The lineups

RAN: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Raskin, Diomande, Aasgaard; Moore, Gassama; Chermiti

GEN: Crombrugge; Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Ditu; Bangoura, Hrošovský, Heynen; Steuckers, Medina; Oh