Rangers: How worried should Ibrox side be about Brann?

The Europa League has often provided Rangers with a welcome break from domestic action in recent seasons. That cannot be said this term.

Meek defeats by Genk and Sturm Graz came under Russell Martin before he was sacked earlier this month.

With zero points from their opening two fixtures, Rangers badly need a victory in their first meeting with Brann and new boss Rohl is targeting immediate wins.

However, the Norwegian hosts will fancy this against an Ibrox side who have proven to be vulnerable this campaign.

Brann average 62% possession in their league, left-back Joachim Soltvedt is the man who creates most of their chances and top scorer Bard Finne has finished off 11 of them.

They warmed up for Thursday with a 4-1 win over FK Haugesund on Saturday, with Finne netting a double, boosting their impressive home form.

Brann have won five of their past seven home European matches, including their victory against Utrecht on matchday two – their first major European match at home for 17 years.

Domestically, they have been beaten just once in 12 home league games this term.

Rangers, meanwhile, have lost each of their past five European matches, conceding 14 goals. Their only longer losing run in Europe was between September and November 2022, when they lost six Champions League games in a row.

Perhaps the Ibrox side can take comfort in the fact they are yet to lose to Norwegian opposition in four meetings, with the most recent encounter coming in a 2-0 Uefa Cup win over Molde in 2006.