THE sight of more Belgian opposition was enough to trigger an attack of PTSD.
Another Performance The Supporters Detested.
Sign up for the Celtic newsletter
Thank you!
Oh wildly celebrated his Ibrox winnerCredit: Reuters
John Souttar and James Tavernier look glum at full-timeCredit: Willie Vass
So soon after their Champions League hopes were reduced to rubble on a bruising night in Brugge, Gers played host to Genk in their Europa League opener.
Rangers manager Russell Martin is under even more pressure nowCredit: PA
It proved to be another haunting encounter against a side from the Jupiler Pro League.
As was the case a month ago, Rangers were reduced to ten men thanks to a crazy red card.
Following Mohamed Diomade’s dismissal shortly before half-time, Gers’ chances never fully recovered.
Read more Rangers stories
MISSING OUT
Hampden to have 1000 EMPTY seats for Old Firm Premier Sports Cup semi-final tie
TOTE’S WORTH IT
Get £40 in free bets and bonuses when you stake £10 on football with Tote
To add insult to injury, it was a former Celtic player, Hyeon-gyu Oh, who struck the winner.
The final whistle brought more booing from the Rangers support, coupled with the now weekly chant of “Martin, Martin Get To F***.”
Saturday’s vital Premier Sports Cup win over Hibs had bought the under-fire Gers boss some time.
It also delivered breathing space for a squad of players who’d been gasping for air.
But progress in the cup will count for nothing if Rangers don’t kick on in Europe and in the league.
The victory which helped set up an Old Firm semi-final at Hampden had to act as a catalyst.
Ahead of this one, Gers knew they had to build momentum and piece together a run of results ahead of the next international break.
The run – which will take in trips to Livingston, Sturm Graz and Falkirk – began with a home clash against Genk in the Europa League.
The Light Blues arrived here via a humiliating 9-1 aggregate Champions League play-off loss to Brugge.
In his pre-match press conference, Martin vowed his players would never again feel as low as they did that night.
Genk’s start to the domestic season has mirrored Rangers’ struggles with Thorsten Fink’s side languishing third from bottom.
Oh was tasked with leading the line for the visitors.
For Gers, Martin made one change to the side which started against Hibs with Youssef Chermiti coming in for his first start.
That meant Bojan Miovski dropped back to the bench with Nico Raskin continuing in midfield.
Just like the weekend, Ibrox wasn’t full.
On these special European nights, that’s unheard of.
It only served to underline the distance Martin still has to travel on the long road to redemption.
The same can be said for Diomande who left his teammates with a mountain to climb.
Five minutes from the break, his over the ball lunge on Zakaria El Ouahdi resulted in a straight red card.
It was wild, it was reckless and he could have no complaints.
Neither could James Tavernier when, after a lengthy VAR review, Slovenian ref Matej Jug awarded the visitors a penalty in first half stoppage time.
The Gers skipper – who’d seen his own appeals for a penalty rejected by VAR moments earlier – clipped Yaimar Medina after he’d got in behind.
Jack Butland held his nerve and produced a stunning save to deny Oh.
The former Hoops star was having a miserable night all told.
With 18 minutes gone, he blazed over the bar from just six yards out – much to the delight of the home support.
Yet time and again, the Gers defence had been carved wide open.
Bryan Heynen’s pass sent El Ouahdi scampering clear after just five minutes.
The Genk star elected to check back inside, allowing Jayden Meghoma to recover.
On the rebound, Oh failed to hit the target.
El Ouahdi – with four goals already this season – slid in again at the back post, but once more he couldn’t steer the ball on target.
Mickey Moore floated an effort over the bar as Rangers threatened Genk’s goal for the first time.
After some terrific build up play by Djeidi Gassama, Raskin dragged an effort inches past.
Then a spectacular goalline clearance by Heynen denied Souttar, although the ref had blown for a foul in the build up.
At the other end, Genk continued to look more likely with Patrik Hrošovský twisting and turning before firing a shot off the base of Butland’s left hand post.
Derek Cornelius did extremely well to snuff out Oh who looked certain to score.
Ibrox was becoming restless when a Tavernier header clearly came back off the arm of Joris Kayembe.
VAR finally intervened, but only to award a foul against the Rangers captain for an alleged push in the back of the Genk defender.
It was such a harsh call.
Butland’s penalty save was the last action of a frantic first half with Martin’s side now facing up to the second 45 with ten men.
Oliver Antman was introduced at the break with Moore making way.
Four minutes into the restart, Rangers somehow survived an almighty goal mouth scramble with Butland producing two fine saves.
Oh’s woes continued when he missed yet another glorious chance with 51 minutes gone.
At this point, Genk boss Fink must have been considering a change.
But Oh had other ideas.
With 55 minutes on the clock, Jarne Steuckers split the Rangers defence wide open again.
This time Oh held his nerve to bury the ball in the bottom corner.
Martin’s men only had themselves to blame.
By the law of averages if you continue to present any striker with chances, eventually they will score.
With a little over 20 minutes left, the South Korean had the ball in the net for a second time, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
SIR QUIZZED
Scots teacher quizzed by cops over Loch Lomond death riddle
‘NEVER SPEAK AGAIN’
Rangers hero John Brown lifts lid on 10-year feud with ex-Celtic star
Rangers were on the ropes.
Connor Barron thought he’d rescued a point only for his late effort to deflect inches over the bar.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page