Russell Martin Faces His First Real Rangers Test v Club Brugge | OneFootball

It might be ‘just a friendly’ but Rangers v Club Brugge this weekend carries weight. It is Russell Martin’s first proper outing as Rangers manager and while the match means nothing in terms of league points or progression it absolutely means something in terms of optics. Brugge are a top-level Belgian side with Champions League pedigree and this test at Ibrox will give Rangers fans their first glimpse of how the new boss intends to shape the team going forward. The result is not everything but performance, shape and intensity will all be under the microscope.

Rangers v Club Brugge also offers a strong early yardstick. This is not a routine warm-up against a lesser opponent but a proper elite test which could expose weaknesses or showcase quality. While some fans will point to fitness and rhythm and others will caution against drawing conclusions from a single match many more will look for signs that the Russell Martin era has something to offer. They want to see new players gelling well and established names staking their claim under a fresh set of instructions.

Of course, the debate will rage online regardless of the outcome. A strong win and many will be crowing about a new dawn while a defeat will be dismissed by some as nothing more than pre-season rust. The truth lies somewhere in between. If Rangers struggle badly it will raise early concerns. If they thrive and look comfortable fans will begin to believe Martin has made an instant impact. Either way Rangers v Club Brugge is not one to brush off lightly. The visitors are no mugs and they will not treat this as a walk in the park either.

The stakes are not high in competitive terms but they are symbolically significant. Supporters want to feel hopeful again after last season’s stutters and a confident Rangers display this weekend would go some way to settling early nerves. If nothing else it offers a first taste of what Russell Martin plans to bring to Ibrox and how ready this Rangers squad is for the challenges ahead.