Rangers fans will be surprised to hear that broadcaster BBC Scotland are set to screen their club’s Europa League Playoff clash with Armenian side Alashkert.
The Gers face a monumental journey to Yerevan on the edge of Europe and a 7000-mile round trip before facing Old Firm rivals Celtic only three days later.
Rangers currently hold a 1-0 lead against the Armenians courtesy of an Alfredo Morelos goal in the home leg after John Lundstram had been sent packing in the first half.
Steven Gerrard’s side will go into the tie as favourites with the game currently scheduled to kick off at 4pm on Thursday the 26th of August.
However – amid a long-term dispute with the Ibrox club – the match will now be screened on BBC Scotland after they announced that they’d secured the rights to the game.
Rangers and the BBC have had seemingly endless disputes over the course of the last seven or so years with the broadcaster’s current head describing the situation as a “matter of huge regret”.
At present, BBC Scotland boycott coverage of Rangers games due to the fact one of their journalists had his press rights revoked for what the Ibrox club consider vexatious coverage.
“Rangers’ bid to secure a place in the Europa League group stage will be shown live on BBC Scotland on Thursday,” reads a BBC Scotland statement.
“The Scottish champions hold a 1-0 lead for the second leg of their play-off against Armenians Alashkert in Yerevan.
“Live coverage begins on the BBC Scotland channel 15 minutes before the 16:00 BST kick-off.
“Steven Gerrard’s side have reached the Europa League group phase three years running, advancing to the last 16 in each of the past two seasons.
“Should they falter against Alashkert, Rangers will drop into the groups of the new Europa Conference League.”
Rangers won the match against Alashkert unconvincingly after a drab first half performance culminated in Lundstram’s second yellow card.
The second half was certainly much improved but another sub plot of the match caught the attention of supporters on Twitter.
