🚨“EXPLOSIVE CLASH! Ex-Rangers Star FIRES BACK at Russell Martin With SHOCKING Denial — Fans Left STUNNED as War of Words ERUPTS Over Controversial Claim That’s Shaking Scottish Football!”

Andy Halliday Dismisses Russell Martin’s “Aggression” Claim After Rangers’ Europa League Defeat to Genk

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has cast doubt on manager Russell Martin’s post-match remarks, insisting he saw no signs of the aggression the boss claimed his side showed against Genk.

Rangers went into the Europa League clash under mounting pressure, with both managers desperate for a result amid poor domestic form and speculation of losing their dressing rooms. Despite Martin’s assurances that Genk posed a different challenge compared to Club Brugge, who knocked Rangers out of the Champions League, the Glasgow side fell to a 55th-minute strike from ex-Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu.

The Gers’ problems deepened after Mohamed Diomande’s reckless first-half challenge earned him a red card, reducing them to ten men. Martin later suggested his team responded with intensity and aggression, but Halliday rejected that view. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he said:

> “I’m surprised he said Rangers were aggressive. I didn’t see aggression. I certainly didn’t see them create chances.”



Halliday highlighted how toothless his former club were in attack, noting the scarcity of opportunities and their lack of conviction. He also pointed out the disappointing atmosphere at Ibrox, with just 38,000 fans in attendance—far below the stadium’s 51,700 capacity for what are usually highly anticipated European nights. The former midfielder admitted he was shocked to see so many empty seats at kick-off, though he wasn’t surprised that more fans had departed before full-time as Rangers’ performance faltered.

Genk striker Oh could have inflicted further damage, missing a penalty before halftime and squandering other chances to extend the lead. Meanwhile, Rangers’ defensive lapses and costly individual errors continued a worrying trend.

The defeat only increases the scrutiny on Martin, whose position remains publicly backed by the club despite growing frustration among supporters. The manager had recently spoken of enjoying the “process” of developing his squad after guiding them past Hibernian into the League Cup semi-finals, but the Genk setback has only amplified doubts about his tenure.

For Genk boss Thorsten Fink, however, the victory provided breathing space as he looks to stabilise his own underperforming side.