Cyriel Dessers Admits Club Brugge Are Favorites Ahead of Rangers’ Champions League Clash

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has admitted that Club Brugge will start as favorites when the two sides meet tonight in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie at Ibrox.

The Light Blues advanced to this stage after seeing off Czech side Viktoria Plzen 4-2 on aggregate in the previous round. But standing in their way now is a Brugge side that impressed in Europe last season, notably earning a famous victory over Manchester City.

Speaking to Belgian outlet HLN, Dessers was candid about the challenge ahead:

“I think it’s clear that Club Brugge are the favourites. They’re a team that did well in the Champions League last season.”

The overall winners of this playoff will secure a coveted place in the Champions League group stage.

Opinion

Dessers’ honesty is refreshing in a game where players often mask reality with bravado. By admitting Brugge are favorites, he may have actually taken some pressure off his teammates while planting a seed of underdog spirit within the Rangers camp.

Football thrives on these kinds of narratives — the underdog hosting a European giant, hoping to turn the odds on their head. Ibrox, with its roaring atmosphere, has been the stage for famous nights before, and Dessers’ words almost feel like a challenge to the fans: “We know they’re better on paper, but with your backing, anything is possible.”

Club Brugge may carry the tag of favorites, but football history is filled with reminders that labels don’t win matches — desire, discipline, and daring do. And if Rangers can harness that, Dessers’ humility could turn into a spark for something magical.