Rangers torn to shreds after total humiliation: 'Lowest point in 65 years'

“The Rangers outdo Celtic with the ultimate Champions League failure,” headlined The Scotsman.

“Everything Celtic can do, Rangers can do better or in this case, worse. They left the pitch with almost impressive incompetence. It was failure in its purest form. A masterclass in how not to do it. Even with ten men, this was unforgivable. The ultimate insult was that referee Felix Zwayer simply blew for full time after ninety minutes. Everyone had seen enough. This is the lowest point in 65 years.”

The Scottish Sun was equally merciless in its analysis of the collapse. “Rangers were already humiliated at home last week, and in Bruges they were battered once again. The team was torn apart. It’s lifeless, and the Champions League dream has crumbled on a night of shame and humiliation. Major question marks now hang over the future of manager Russell Martin. In the season Steven Gerrard led Rangers to their 55th league title, it took 37 matches before they conceded one hundred shots. This season, that figure has already been reached after just six games.”

The Herald echoed the sense of crisis around Ibrox. “Russell Martin’s spell at Rangers is in a disastrous downward spiral. It was a humiliating defeat. He was already under huge pressure, but this dreadful performance earned him the fury of fans who have already lost hope. It was one of the worst nights in the club’s history. A true nightmare.”

The brutal assessments followed Rangers’ crushing 6-0 defeat away to Club Brugge on Wednesday, which sealed a devastating 9-1 aggregate loss in the Champions League play-offs. The result not only ended their hopes of reaching the group stage but also raised alarm about the direction of the club under Martin’s leadership. The magnitude of the defeat was such that comparisons with the club’s darkest European nights were inevitable.

Only once before had Rangers suffered a heavier defeat in Europe’s elite competition. That came in October 2022, when Liverpool thrashed them 7-1 at Ibrox, with Mohamed Salah scoring a lightning-fast hat-trick. For many fans, the Brugge debacle was even harder to swallow, given the context: it was a play-off tie with the group stages within reach, and expectations were significantly higher.

On the pitch, the gap in quality between Rangers and Brugge was stark. The Belgian champions dominated in every department, exploiting defensive frailties, cutting through the midfield with ease, and showing far greater attacking intent. Rangers struggled to create any clear chances, their few forays forward breaking down quickly, while at the back they looked disorganized and mentally fragile. By the final whistle, the scoreboard reflected more than just a loss – it highlighted a gulf in ambition and execution.

Off the pitch, the defeat has sent shockwaves through the club and its supporters. Russell Martin, who was appointed with hopes of instilling a more progressive style of play, now faces the most intense scrutiny of his managerial career. Fans have been left questioning his tactical decisions, team selections, and above all, whether he has the authority and vision to reverse the downward trend. Many believe the board must act quickly, as patience within the stands is rapidly eroding.

Martin himself looked shell-shocked when addressing the media after the match. “I want to apologize to the fans,” he admitted during the press conference. “I am deeply sorry that they had to witness this. Tonight was unacceptable.” His words, while contrite, did little to calm the growing storm around his tenure.

The financial implications of the defeat are also significant. Failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage represents a major blow to Rangers’ revenue projections, depriving the club of millions in broadcasting and prize money. That shortfall could have repercussions for future transfer plans, leaving supporters fearful that the team will be unable to strengthen adequately in the months ahead.

For now, the club is left facing uncomfortable questions. Was this simply a disastrous blip, or a sign of a deeper structural weakness within the squad and management? Is Russell Martin the right man to lead the rebuild, or will the board be forced into making another managerial change sooner rather than later?

What is certain is that Wednesday’s 6-0 defeat at Brugge will go down as one of the most humiliating nights in Rangers’ long and proud history. The fans, who traveled in numbers and continued to sing long after the outcome was beyond doubt, deserve answers. But whether those answers come in the form of a revival on the pitch or changes off it remains to be seen. For now, the nightmare continues, and the wounds from this European catastrophe will take a long time to heal.