Rangers have been handed a major advantage v Ufa after it was announced the Russians won’t be taking any allocation at Ibrox.
Couple this with the fact the Russians were dismantled 3-0 by Dynamo Moscow yesterday, and Rangers can go into the tie with confidence.
A daunting 6000-mile return trip is on the cards the week of the season’s first Old Firm. Rangers will be hoping to take a considerable advantage to Ufa in preparation for the away trip to Parkhead. They play Ufa in Ufa only three days before they play Celtic. If they can take a strong result to Russia, Gerrard will be in a position to rest key men for the crunch return tie.
An up and down start to the season for the Russians
FC Ufa have been anything but convincing this season. Rangers will be confident that the passionate Ibrox crowd can will them to a victory. Ufa have picked up one win, one draw and two defeats in their opening four league game. They sit 11th in the Russian Premier League and you can find out more about what they offer here.
FC Ufa also only narrowly defeated Progres Niederkorn to reach the Playoff round.
Chance to banish the ghosts of Luxembourg from last season
The Luxembourg outfit defeated Rangers in the first round of qualifying last season. With 50,000 bluenoses cheering them on, Rangers will be hoping to banish the ghosts of last season.
Getting to the group stages of the Europa League would be a major achievement for Gerrard and his backroom staff and the fans are nervously excited to see what this tie brings. It would also bring millions into the club.
Gerrard will be hoping to take full advantage of a sell-out Ibrox full of Rangers fans to dispatch the Russians in the first leg.