Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen has backed pal Russell Martin to handle the heat at Rangers . ‌

But the Belgian says their three-year friendship will count for nothing at Ibrox this week as he looks to pile on the pressure by dumping him out of the Champions League . ‌

Hayen and Martin got to know each other in 2022 when they were both managing Welsh clubs. ‌

The Rangers gaffer was then at Swansea, while Hayen was in charge of minnows Haverfordwest County.

The pair struck up a relationship but didn’t actually get to meet each other until this season’s summer friendly between Brugge and Gers.

Now they’ll face off in a crunch £40million play-off tie. Article continues below

Hayen rates Martin highly and expects him to succeed at Ibrox - but not before he’s got one over on h

See Full Page