Martin 'needs time' says Brugge counterpart

Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen says his counterpart Russell Martin "needs time to implement the style of play he wants" as the Rangers boss comes under increasing pressure following his slow start in the job.

The pair struck up a friendship when Hayen coached Haverfordwest County in Wales and Martin was at Swansea City.

Asked whether Martin may have to change his principles as he struggles to achieve positive results early in his Rangers tenure, Belgian Hayen said: "It depends - is it matching with the style of the club, what the club wants, the philosophy of the club?

"He just has to have a good collaboration between the board and himself. I know Russell was successful in his previous clubs on this way.

"Of course, it needs time to implement the style of play that he wants. This is up to the board if they give him the time or not. If not, then you have to change something."

Brugge take a 3-1 lead into Wednesday night's Champions League play-off second leg and Hayen is wary of a Rangers team that have "nothing to lose any more".

"Like in the second half [last week], they'll go all in, trying to score as quick as possible to come into the game," he said.

"This is something we have to be aware of. We're going to play our game like we did over there, try to score that goal.

"We have to be focused on the first whistle. We start the game like it's a draw again, like 0-0, it's the mindset that we need."