Rangers fans are dusting off their passports ahead of another foray into the Champions League and European football.
For all the club’s domestic shortcomings in recent seasons, Rangers’ success at European level has been somewhat understated across Scotland.
The Gers have always flown the saltire on the European stage and will do so once again as Rangers head into Champions League qualification.
With Dynamo Kiev or Partizan Belgrade lying in wait in the third round, Rangers fans have started to get a little excited.
Rangers fans in Champions League transfer warning
It’s clear no matter who Rangers draw in Champions League qualifying, the match was going to be a tall order.
But with the club avoiding clashes against the likes of USG and Fenerbahce, it’s fair to say Dynamo Kiev or Partizan Belgrade are much more favourable.
With those two set to do battle over the next nine days, Rangers fans will have one eye on the outcome as Philippe Clement looks to bank the £30m fortune of Champions League qualification.
The Rangers support have also been reacting to the draw and are urging the club to conduct the necessary transfer business which can fire the Gers to the revamped tournament proper.
There’s also a universal feeling that Rangers have done well to avoid some of the other ties.
It’s pretty much a call to arms for Philippe Clement, Nils Koppen and the Rangers Board to get transfer business concluded before the match.
Some fans have complained Rangers are heading into the qualifiers with ‘hands tied behind their back’.
Others have simply said clearly ‘go and sign some players’ whilst one fan claimed Dynamo Kiev and Partizan Belgrade will be ‘rubbing their hands’ at the prospect of playing the Gers.
The call for quality is evident across the Rangers support, some even pleading with the Ibrox board by saying ‘please’.
Rangers fans nervous over Champions League squad
It’s clear there’s not huge confidence that the current squad is well enough equipped to make the Champions League as things stand.
Philippe Clement himself said as much when pressed on the qualifiers last week.
At the same time, Rangers have been clear that players will need to be shipped out before the club can make moves this summer.
The Gers find themselves in a real mess and with the league season kicking off in just over a fortnight’s time these qualifiers are looming large.
We’ll judge the window as a whole come the end of August but everyone at Rangers already knows these tough clashes can make or break a season.
