Rangers leave it late in Russell Martin bow as Findlay Curtis makes case for starring role – 3 talking points.

Russell Martin’s dugout debut was tumultuous, but his team rallied after a slow start against Brugge. This weekend, the Gallagher brothers were reminiscing about the past in Cardiff.

Meanwhile, at Ibrox, Russell Martin gave the Light Blue legions their first glimpse of his new Gers Masterplan as they hosted Belgian Cup winners Club Brugge.

It certainly looked like it needed some work in the first half, as Gers made a terrible mess of things, allowing the visitors to take the lead with two quick goals from Hugo Vetlesen and Ludovit Reis. The fans were angry as they booed the players off after the first 45 minutes.

But they were ready to Roll with It by halftime, as Mohamed Diomande and youngster Findlay Curtis polished off a far better second half performance to earn a respectable draw.

New Ibrox era begins

There was a new manager in the dugout, but you wouldn’t have known it when Martin took his position on the touchline. There was no welcome message or cheers for the man who has just been named the club’s fourth manager in as many years.

The Gers fans weren’t exactly ecstatic when the former Southampton manager was unveiled, so it’s not unexpected that he received a distinctly muted greeting. Understandably, fans are waiting for indications of life in this new-look side before becoming overly enthused.

However, it is evident that the new manager needs to fine-tune Russball before he can completely win over the fans.

Meanwhile, Brugge took advantage of the fragmented Ibrox ranks, grabbing the lead after nine minutes when Vetlesen converted Hugo Vermant’s cut-back on the second attempt.

Liam Kelly may feel he might have done better with the first of those tries, but there was no stopping the second four minutes later, when Hans Vanaken’s deflected cross dropped to Reis 20 yards out, and Reis lashed in with an incredible volley.

Brugge almost had a third when Christos Tziolis rattled the far post after skinning King, but Rangers appeared lot more structured as Martin added a slew of big names after halftime.

Diomande equalised in just six minutes, slotting home from Oscar Cortes’ feed.

Martin made further substitutions that took some of the zing out of the proceedings, but there was a last flourish when Nedim Bajrami sent in little Curtis to tie the score a minute from time.

Summer signings

The 29,500 spectators who went out for the Rangers’ first public exercise of the summer hoped to see some of Martin’s five new acquisitions, but just one made the starting lineup.

The only newcomer was Bournemouth loanee Max Aarons, with Peterborough’s £2.5 million signing Manny Fernandez coming on as a second-half substitute.

Aarons has taken over Ridvan Yilmaz’s No. 3 jersey – the Turk appears to be wearing 33 this season – but it is unclear whether he will replace James Tavernier on the right side of the Light Blues’ backline.

Summer signings

The 29,500 spectators who went out for the Rangers’ first public exercise of the summer hoped to see some of Martin’s five new acquisitions, but just one made the starting lineup.

The only newcomer was Bournemouth loanee Max Aarons, with Peterborough’s £2.5 million signing Manny Fernandez coming on as a second-half substitute.

Aarons has taken over Ridvan Yilmaz’s No. 3 jersey – the Turk appears to be wearing 33 this season – but it is unclear whether he will replace James Tavernier on the right side of the Light Blues’ backline.

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