As the draw for rounds one and two of Europa League qualifying edges closer, we’ve looked at some of the clubs Rangers could face.
Here are the three best and three worst draws possible draws for QR1. Furthermore, here are the three easiest and three toughest possible opponents for QR2, should the Gers get that far. Those lists have been compiled using the UEFA club coefficient, as published by Kassiesa.
With so many sides entering the competition across these two rounds, it’s not viable to assess them all.
However, one potential tie, in particular, is worth a mention.
The Gers could be drawn against their former humiliators, Progres Niederkorn.
There was plenty of optimism before the two sides met back in July 2017. Rangers were back in European competition and seemingly ready to give a good account of themselves.
However, they went down 2-1 on aggregate to the previously unknown Luxembourg minnows. It was a sign of things to come under Pedro Caixinha at Ibrox.
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Fast forward two seasons, though, and there could be a chance to put it right.
With a coefficient of 5.250, the Gers are seeded for QR1. Meanwhile, Progres, enter at the preliminary stage.
They will find out their opponents for that initial round tomorrow (11 June), but as their tie will obviously not be completed by next Wednesday, they will also be in the pot for QR1. Despite their preliminary round entry, with a coefficient of 2.750, they are the eleventh highest ranked unseeded team in round one.
A draw against Niederkorn would give Rangers a chance to show the considerable ‘Progres’ they have made under Steven Gerrard.
Dishing out a hiding across two legs wouldn’t erase the memory of the 2017 failure, but it would taste sweet.
