The Ibrox side’s exciting journey to the Europa League final last season whetted the appetite for European football’s elite club competition.
However, amid a passive first-half performance by the Light Blues, the home side took the lead in the 27th minute when captain Teddy Teuma opened the scoring with a shot which asked questions of Gers keeper Jon McLaughlin’s attempt to save.
A laboured display from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side continued after the break and a Dante Vanzeir penalty in the 76th minute doubled the Belgian side’s lead.
The return game is at Ibrox next Tuesday and Rangers will have to come up with something really special if they are to face either Monaco or PSV Eindhoven in the play-off.
Andrew Smith gives each Rangers player a mark out of ten for their performance in Belgium ...
9. Malik Tillman
The one bright spark in the first period, he at least looked to make things happen. Faded badly before being replaced by Scott Wright. 6 Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
10. Rabbi Matondo
Entirely anonymous. His anonymity had anonymity. Only when he was hauled off in 77 minutes did you remember he was on. 4 Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
11. Antonio Colak
If the Croatian had a handful of touches then most of them must have been with an invisible ball as the real one was rarely in any vicinity he found himself. 4 Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
12. Substitutes
Ben Davies (above, 4) came on to try and stabilise the defence, but the opposite happened. We got a first sighting of Ridvan Yilmaz (4) but it was an invidious time for a debut. Scott Wright (6) did more in 13 minutes than most starters, but Tom Lawrence was unable to influence the game (4). Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group