Scottish clubs endured devastating European exits as Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hibernian failed to progress in elite competitions. Over three days the teams lost a combined 12–3, marking a dramatic reversal from recent continental successes by Dundee United and Hibernian and Ballon d'Or recognition for Scott McTominay and Caroline Weir. Celtic drew goalless with Kairat Almaty and lost on penalties after Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda missed spot-kicks. Rangers were crushed by Club Brugge following a poor first leg at Ibrox, suffering a 9–1 aggregate humiliation that intensified calls for Russell Martin's departure.
Celtic huffed and puffed against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, but they were unable to even come close to finding the back of the net in a blunt display. Regulation time was stuffy, extra-time was turgid, and the penalties were remarkably unremarkable. Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda all missed from the spot as they suffered one of the most ignominious defeats in their history.
Next up, Russell Martin's Rangers. Trailing 3-1 to Club Brugge after an almighty shambles from the first leg at Ibrox, they were outsiders but retained a fighter's chance if they could find their footing. Brugge, instead, found the back of the net six times without reply as many of the travelling punters decided it was time for the head coach to vacate his position. It was 9-1 of an aggregate scoreline for the tie as fans branded Martin a "coward" with some hastily fashioned banners.
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