![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_genk.jpg\")
Genk players look dejected after their defeat to Union Saint-Gilloisie (Image: JOHAN EYCKENS\/Belga\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\nGers kick off their Europa League campaign under the lights against the Belgian side on Thursday<\/p>\n
21:34, 21 Sep 2025Updated 22:08, 21 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
Genk players look dejected after their defeat to Union Saint-Gilloisie (Image: JOHAN EYCKENS\/Belga\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Genk star Junya Ito admits his team need to learn to start playing with ‘no fear’ after they were dealt another setback ahead of their Europa League opener against Rangers<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Belgian side fell to their second defeat in their first eight matches with an agonising 2-1 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday, dropping two points by conceding in the 94th minute.<\/p>\n Genk sit third bottom in the Belgian Pro League with just eight points from their eight games and make the trip to Ibrox on matchday one of the revamped Europa League<\/a> group stage on Thursday.<\/p>\n They will face a Gers team that are also feeling the heat despite Russell Martin <\/a>securing a much needed victory with a 2-0 triumph against Hibs in the quarter final of the Premier Sports Cup<\/a> after fans had protested against the board’s continued backing of the under-fire boss before the cup tie at Ibrox on Saturday.<\/p>\n The scene is set for a huge night for both sides under the lights on Thursday and veteran Japan winger Ito – who bagged Genk’s consolation goal in the loss to Union Saint-Gilloise – is hopeful they can start to play without fear and anxiety, something that Light Blues boss Martin has publicly accused his players of having issues with.<\/p>\n He said: “This loss obviously doesn’t do us any good, but we have a very young team.<\/p>\n “Fear would be a bad advisor. It will definitely work out.”<\/p>\n Genk manager Thorsten Fink has claimed that the Belgians have ‘nothing to lose’ ahead of the game in Glasgow and has conceded he is more focused on next weekend’s Limburg derby showdown with Sint-Truidense.<\/p>\n Speaking after their loss on Sunday, he said: “This result shouldn’t slow us down.<\/p>\n “I’m glad we have nothing to lose in a different league on Thursday in Glasgow.<\/p>\n “It’s a chance to build confidence for Sunday’s important derby.”<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> page and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_FBL-BEL-PROLEAGUE-GENK-ANTWERP.jpg\")
Genk boss Thorsten Fink(Image: Belga\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n