Genk edge Rangers 1-0 as Martin’s European woes deepen

Genk defeated Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox in the Europa League on Wednesday, a result that lengthens the hosts’ winless run and piles pressure on manager Russell Martin after another European setback. The match underscored a season in which Rangers have yet to string two consecutive victories, a trend that has intensified scrutiny of the managerial tenure and the direction of the squad.

Mohamed Diomande’s red card four minutes before the break proved a decisive turning point. The Rangers defender was sent off for a high, reckless challenge on Zakaria El Ouahdi in a moment that left the stands and the bench bellowing in disbelief. Earlier in the half, there had been a VAR review over a potential penalty when Joris Kayembe handled under pressure from a Tavarnier cross, but referee Matej Jug elected not to award the spot-kick. By the time the half ended, Rangers were still level, but their hopes of turning the tie in their favor had been dealt a severe blow.

The visitors capitalized soon after the interval. Oh Hyeon-gyu, a former Celtic forward, finally breached the hosts’ resistance 10 minutes into the second period, finishing clinically after a steady move down the Genk left. Oh had already gone close several times in the first half, and his conversion was the telling moment as Rangers, now a man light, could not muster a sustained reply. Jack Butland produced several important stops to keep the score from blowing open, but the overall pattern suggested Rangers were chasing the game for long spells with ten men and a reshaped midfield.

Rangers’ attacking insecurities were evident throughout. Youssef Chermiti looked isolated up front, Mikey Moore appeared short of composure and was substituted at the break, while Thelo Aasgaard failed to stamp authority in midfield. Djeidi Gassama showed flashes down the left, but there was little cohesion elsewhere. James Tavernier and Jayden Meghoma were repeatedly tested by Genk’s direct wingers, and Rangers’ rearguard had to be alert as the visitors probed for a second.

The tactical reshuffle after the red card left Rangers exposed in transition and with holes to plug at the back. Oh’s breakthrough only intensified the pressure, and even with 10 men Rangers could not conjure the necessary tempo or precision to salvage something from the game. The Ibrox crowd, already subdued by ongoing difficulty in securing results, watched as supporters began to drift toward quiet corners rather than rallying behind a team short of confidence.

Genk went into the match in mixed form themselves, and their manager Thorsten Fink faced his own questions from a club struggling near the bottom of the Belgian league. Yet on the night, they demonstrated efficiency and resolve when it counted, with Oh’s goal capped by a disciplined defensive performance that rarely allowed Rangers the chance to exploit the numerical disadvantage.

Rangers’ latest setback marks their fourth defeat in seven matches across all competitions, a statistic that reflects lingering issues in both attack and structure. A decent performance against Hibernian in the domestic cup had offered a glimmer of relief, but European reality returned with clinical precision as Genk left Glasgow with all three points.

As the group stages progress, Rangers must navigate a demanding schedule while attempting to rebuild momentum at home. The need for clear improvement in cohesion, decision-making in the final third, and defensive organization remains urgent if the club hopes to salvage its European campaign and stabilize a season that has already produced more questions than answers for Martin and his team.