Genk edge 10-man Rangers at Ibrox in Europa League opener
Rangers’ troubles in Europe continued as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Genk at Ibrox, meaning the Glasgow side have now won only two of their last nine home games in the Europa League. To make matters worse, Russell Martin’s men played more than half the game a man short after Mohamed Diomande’s rash lunge earned him a straight red.
It was a cagey start under the lights, but once Rangers settled, they carved out the first big chance. James Tavernier whipped in a trademark free-kick, John Souttar rose highest, and his header looked in until Bryan Heynen somehow cleared it off the line. From nearly going ahead, the home side were almost punished instantly as Genk broke with pace, Zakaria El Ouahdi curling a delicious cross only for ex-Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu to balloon it over, sparking a few grins from the away end.
Genk grew stronger as the half wore on, Heynen dictating things from deep and slipping in Patrik Hrošovský, who beat Nicolas Raskin with ease before smashing the post. Ibrox groaned in relief, but the pressure wasn’t letting up. Rangers thought they might’ve had a penalty when Tavernier’s header bounced against Joris Kayembe’s arm, but after a long VAR look the ref waved it off, and that call proved costly minutes later. Diomande lunged recklessly at El Ouahdi and was rightly shown red, leaving Rangers with a mountain to climb.
The drama wasn’t done there though. Tavernier clipped Yaimar Medina inside the box and the ref pointed straight to the spot. Oh stepped up, looking for redemption, but Jack Butland pulled off a superb save, diving full stretch to deny him. That sparked Ibrox to life, with the home fans roaring on their side and booing the officials off at HT.
Despite being a man light, Rangers actually started the second half on the front foot, Thelo Aasgaard snatching at a half-chance. But Genk’s quality finally told on 55 minutes. Jarne Steuckers sliced Rangers open with a pinpoint pass, Oh atoning for earlier misses by slotting past Butland to put the Belgians ahead.
The home side didn’t fold, Djeidi Gassama fizzing one just wide, and Oh thought he had a second later only for Hrošovský to be caught offside in the buildup. Martin rang the changes with a triple sub late on, but Rangers lacked the spark to break down a solid Genk backline. The visitors held out for their first away clean sheet since March, leaving Ibrox frustrated and Rangers already playing catch-up in Group C.
For Genk, it’s the perfect start to their campaign. For Rangers, another bruising night in Europe, more questions for Martin, and a reminder that discipline at this level costs dearly.