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“It’s better to be lucky than good.”

An old adage which sums up Rangers’ run in the qualifiers of the Champions League so far rather neatly.

The good news is they are now just two games – or one tie – away from the league phase, with Club Brugge of Belgium standing in their way.

Making it to the play-off round is arguably an over-achievement in itself, given the tricky draw against Panathinaikos in the last round and a squad being rebuilt under a new head coach.

But boss Russell Martin is under no illusion about the scale of the improvements needed.

You do not have to trawl through advanced statistics to work out Rangers have had their goalkeeper Jack Butland and some terrible profligacy from their opponents to thank in their two ties so far.

“We have a lot to work on, but we’re through,” Martin told BBC Scotland after Rangers overcame Viktoria Plzen on aggregate despite a 2-1 second-leg loss.

It was obvious why Martin was unhappy. In Plzen, Rangers conceded 27 shots, a staggering 21 of them coming from inside their penalty area.

As a result, the Czech side ended with an expected goals rating of 3.31, with Butland making eight saves, with the one to deny Prince Adu truly world class.

Given Rangers’ impressive first-leg performance, a one-off poor display with a comfortable 3-0 aggregate lead could be forgiven given the end result.

But early in the season, it has been a pattern. Rangers have conceded 97 shots in their six games so far, an average of 16 per game.

Had Plzen, Panathinaikos, Motherwell, or even Dundee been more clinical then it could easily be a different story in this nascent campaign.

“Plzen had four 100% chances and took one of them – and they all came from Rangers’ mistakes,” former Rangers midfielder Ian McCall said on Sportsound.

“They were shoddy and shabby, but the name of the game is getting into the next round.

Rangers’ inability to keep the ball and move it up the pitch, instead gifting it back to Plzen, was something Martin picked out too.

“There were some good moments we didn’t make the most of, but I’m disappointed with the number of shots and chances they have and most of it is self-inflicted,” the Rangers head coach added.

“Our level of quality on the ball and decision making wasn’t good enough.”

Wingers Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama, so influential in the first-leg victory, were hardly in the game before being substituted in the second half. Mainly because Rangers could not get the ball to them.

Their biggest passing combinations on the night were between Butland and his two centre-backs.

Other than going through, the big positive on the night was Lyall Cameron grabbing his first Rangers goal, capping off a solid individual performance.

Butland’s form is also a big plus given his struggles in the second half of last season and, despite the obvious flaws, Rangers have found a knack of coming up with big goals in Europe regardless of the momentum in games.

However, that is not a sustainable recipe for success in European football’s premier competition.

Club Brugge will undoubtedly be a step up. Last season they reached the last 16 of the Champions League, eventually losing to Aston Villa.

The teams shared a 2-2 draw at Ibrox in pre-season, so there will be a degree of familiarity, as much as a friendly can replicate competitive action.

“If Rangers were playing against a better quality of team, even with the 3-0 lead, this game could have gone to extra-time or they could have lost it,” former Rangers striker Steven Thompson said on Sportsound.

Andy C: It’s grim watching. So many times the Gers gave the ball away under self-inflicted pressure. Souttar and Butland seem to be the only two who know what they’re doing.

Graham: How long is it going to take for the players to adapt to the new “style of play” before the fans lose faith? Because right now I see no improvements at all, if anything the last few games I’ve watched has been the worst watch in years.

Ray: All that matters is they are through that’s it. If they play as badly against Brugge and go through that’s all that matters as well. You need good players to play Martin’s system and the extra money may well help him in that quest.

Brian: Another woefully poor performance from this team – I honestly don’t know what is going on under Martin and I fear that it’s not going to end well and will only set the club back even further. Sloppy defending and wasteful on the counter.

Newcastle United have completed the signing of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.

The Germany international, 24, joins Eddie Howe’s side for a reported £34.6m, including add-ons.

He is the Magpies’ third signing of a tricky summer of recruitment, after winger Anthony Elanga’s arrival from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.

“I’m really excited to join this massive club. I can’t wait to start training and to get to know my new team-mates and all the staff,” said Thiaw.

“The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting.

Bringing in a new centre-back was a priority for Newcastle this summer as manager Howe looks to increase competition and lower the average age of an experienced squad.

But getting deals over the line has been a tall order, with the Magpies missing out on several targets across all positions, including Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford.

There has also been speculation over the future of striker Alexander Isak, who is determined to leave the club and join Liverpool.

Howe said: “We’re really pleased to have Malick on board. He’s a player I’ve admired for a long time and somebody who will add real quality to our defensive options.

“Malick is still young but brings valuable experience of Champions League football, as well as playing in the Bundesliga and Serie A, which is a major positive for us as we return to Europe this season.”

Thiaw, who has three caps for Germany, joined AC Milan from Schalke in 2022.

He made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A giants last season, scoring his only goal of the campaign against Real Madrid in the Champions League in November.

Man City hold talks with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Southampton reject West Ham’s offer for Mateus Fernandes and Galatasaray approach Brazil goalkeeper Ederson.

Manchester City have held talks with Paris St-Germain over a deal for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, with personal terms not expected to be an issue. (RMC Sport – in French)

Galatasaray have made an approach for Manchester City’s 31-year-old Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, which would clear the way for Donnarumma to move to Etihad Stadium. (Fabrizio Romano)

Southampton have rejected West Ham’s opening offer, worth £30m plus add-ons, for 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes. (Athletic – subscription required)

Real Madrid are continuing to monitor the progress of Crystal Palace’s 21-year-old England midfielder Adam Wharton. (Mail – subscription required)

Aston Villa are hoping to re-sign Marco Asensio from Paris St-Germain following the 29-year-old Spain midfielder’s successful loan spell last season. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Liverpool have no intention of selling France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, in this transfer window, despite working on moves for two centre-backs to strengthen their squad. (Mail – subscription required)

Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for 25-year-old Morocco forward Amine Adli. (Footmercato – in French)

Bayer Leverkusen are the latest side to express an interest in Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, with the Seagulls willing to sell the 20-year-old Argentina winger for around £39m. (Kicker – in German)

Borussia Dortmund have walked away from a deal for Fabio Silva after Wolves increased their asking price for the 23-year-old Portugal forward. (Teamtalk)

The Hundred men’s competition, Edgbaston

Oval Invincibles 180-8 (100 balls): Ferreira 63 (29); Boult 2-20

Birmingham Phoenix 182-6 (98 balls): Livingstone 69* (27); Mahmood 3-28

Birmingham Phoenix won by four wickets

A fired-up Liam Livingstone brilliantly took down Rashid Khan to lead Birmingham Phoenix home in a thrilling and unlikely chase of 181 against defending champions Oval Invincibles in the men’s Hundred.

The Phoenix, beaten in both of their first two fixtures, needed 61 runs from 24 balls with six wickets left before captain Livingstone struck five balls from superstar Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid for 26 runs, with three sixes and two fours.

With 22 required from the last 10, he thrashed Tom Curran for another two sixes to put Phoenix on the brink.

Then, with three to defend from the last five, Saqib Mahmood took two wickets in two balls but Benny Howell drove a four and Livingstone finished 69 not out from 27 – Phoenix completing the third-highest chase in The Hundred with four wickets and two balls to spare.

There was needle between the sides throughout the contest, with Curran appearing to celebrate in the direction of Livingstone after he dismissed Jacob Bethell for eight, at which stage Livingstone had 16.

“I have no idea why Tom started to spray me,” Livingstone told BBC Two.

“He is one of my good friends and he called me a fat slob or something so I thought ‘let’s hope you don’t go for a few if you come back at the death’ and he did so I’m kind of happy with that.”

Rashid’s final figures – 0-59 from 20 balls – are the most expensive in the tournament as the Invincibles’ winning start to the tournament ended.

Donovan Ferreira had seemingly put them in control by hitting a brutal 63 from 29 balls to lift the Invincibles to 180-8.

When Rashid began his final set, his side had an 87% chance of winning according to analysts CricViz, with Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke, Bethell and Smeed all out.

Five balls later that had swung to 59% in favour of the Phoenix – Livingstone playing a sensational hand.

Rashid has had a testing 18 months since back surgery after the 2023 World Cup but had been back to something approaching his best in Invincibles’ first two matches.

He had the most wickets, best economy-rate and best-strike rate of any bowler in the men’s competition before this match.

Livingstone, though, has a remarkably good record against the world’s most sought-after spinner.

His three sixes – the first timed down the ground, the second heaved over square leg and the third, the biggest of the lot, slog-swept over mid-wicket – took his tally to 21 off Rashid in T20s. That’s nine more than any other batter.

He has now scored 200 runs off 102 balls from Rashid in T20s, which is the most by any batter. His strike-rate of 192 against Rashid is also the world’s best.

“I have confidence in having played him before,” Livingstone told Sky Sports.

“I have a decent record against Rash by stepping across and slogging him.

There are four games on Wednesday – two men’s and two women’s.

Southern Brave host Northern Superchargers with the women’s match starting at 11:30 BST and the men’s 15:00.

Welsh Fire also host Manchester Originals in the women’s competition from 15:00 with the men following from 18:30.