Genk are the visitors to Ibrox in the first of eight matches in this stage of the competition, and the head coach wants his team to build on the weekend’s victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup.
Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, he said: “I really felt the difference last week after we spent a bit of time together and then we finished with a performance which I am really proud of in difficult circumstances for the players.
“They were amazing last week, they were really together, trained really hard and then put on a performance on the pitch that they enjoyed and we looked how we want to be. There's still loads to improve on, but it looked way more like it should.
“A win helps everyone, there has been a lightness in the last 10 or 12 days that I've really enjoyed so now we need to keep them there, because they are capable of so much and I believe we can be a really top team.
"We have had a lot of change, and we have had to overcome a lot of stuff and I think Saturday will help us and it sets us up nicely for this one. Now the challenge is we have to follow that up and we have to be so demanding to keep our standards high and to put in a performance that we like and wins us the game again.
On the challenge he expects from Genk tomorrow evening, he said: “They had a brilliant season last season, but it is about us being at home, generating the energy we want to.
“They have some really good players, and they are a good team that is why they play in this competition so we will be aware of that, and we'll respect that, but it has to be about us and building on Saturday and trying to improve.
“What excites me is the potential in this group now that we have the group settled down and the window shut. We are going to attack every competition, and we are going to try and enjoy as much of it as we can.
“There are some big games and tough opposition, you wouldn’t expect anything else in this competition, but we are looking forward to it.
"The guys that have been here and experienced some good moments in European football have felt it already, so they can definitely help the other players recognise what is at stake and what can be achieved.”
Martin was asked about his squad, and provided an injury update on Joe Rothwell, Lyall Cameron, Dujon Sterling and Rabbi Matondo, he continued: “Rothwell will be back in the squad which is good for us because it probably was the best he played when he came on the pitch and then obviously he had to come off but he really injected something for us.
“Lyall will probably be next week, he is doing really well, he had a little setback but nothing major and Dujon and Rabbi are coming on really nicely, but their injuries are obviously long term.
“They are both back out on the grass regularly now, but it is going to take some time for them to build up fitness and adapt again. They won't be involved anytime soon but hopefully they'll keep building every day.
"They have brilliant attitudes, and they are really good characters, good teammates so I look forward to hopefully working them back into the squad at some point, but it won't be soon.”
It’s the first outing of the competition of the season for Russell Martin’s men, as they look to make a strong start and build on their weekend’s success under the lights of the iconic stadium.
Tomorrow’s men’s first-team feature comes from Bojan Miovski, as he speaks of his hopes for the campaign having got a taste of European football with his previous clubs Aberdeen and Girona, whilst he chats on settling into life back in the country and wearing the number 28 for the Gers.
We will have our match fast facts and opposition focus on our Belgium visitors, whilst captain James Tavernier is next to take on our A-Z quickfire questions.
Former forward Kane Hemmings is next up in our ‘Where Are They Now?’ feature, as he reflects on his career now with English side Barrow and his master’s degree in sporting directorship, whilst we look ahead to this year’s Big Ibrox Sleep Out taking place in mid-November.
All of this, and so much more, will be on hand for supporters to enjoy, and programmes are available to buy pre-match at Ibrox or online HERE.
2025-26 AWAY KIT: Follow Forever. Shop the 2025-26 Umbro x Rangers Away Kit in-store or online HERE
GET YOUR 2025-26 MYGERS MEMBERSHIP: Enjoy exclusive experiences, discounts and events with a MyGers membership HERE
VIP HOSPITALITY: Combining all the passion, excitement and joy of football with an unrivalled choice of suites and packages at Ibrox Stadium HERE