Rangers will face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League Quarter Final if they can get past Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce at Ibrox.
Rangers lead Fenerbahce 3-1 heading into the Europa League Round of 16 second leg but it is still all to play for at a sold-out Ibrox Stadium.
Heading into the match, both Rangers and Fenerbahce knew that the winner of their tie will play the winners of AS Roma and Athletic Bilbao.
And the Spaniards have turned around a 2-1 defeat in Rome to achieve progression with their eyes set on lifting the Europa League trophy in their own stadium come May.
Athletic Bilbao lie in Europa League wait for Rangers or Fenerbahce
Athletic Bilbao have dumped a ten-man AS Roma 3-1 in Bilbao to record a 4-3 aggregate victory over the Italians.
Spanish international Inaki Williams is the star of the La Liga outfit’s attack with the striker banging in a double either side of Yuri Berchiche’s header which put Athletic ahead in the tie.
Things got off to a disastrous start for AS Roma when veteran German defender Mats Hummels was sent off for a last man challenge just 11 minutes into the game.
From there it was a big ask to keep the team currently 4th in the Spanish top flight at bay.
Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes scored an injury time penalty for Roma but the goal would prove little more than a consolation.
The result means Rangers will play the second leg of the Europa League Quarter Final away from home, should they overcome Fenerbahce.
UEFA rules meant a potential clash with Lazio – who have progressed 3-2 on aggregate against Viktoria Plzen – would’ve reversed the initial home and away draw had Roma qualified.
Rangers have played Spanish clubs 27 times in their history and have an abysmal record of only four victories.
Athletic Bilbao’s 53k seater Estádio de San Mames is also set to host this season’s Europa League Final on the 21st of May.
Barry Ferguson in five word message to Rangers team
Rangers can worry about Athletic Bilbao after they’ve taken care of Fenerbahce with Jose Mourinho right up for the clash at Ibrox.
Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson has also been speaking to RangersTV ahead of the match and started off his interview with a simple five word message to the Rangers team.
”Go and win the game,” said Ferguson. “Simple as that.
”I know we’ve got a 3-1 lead but we know what we need to do. We expect Fenerbahce to come here and have a go at us.
”So we’re prepared for all scenarios. So just really looking forward to the game.
”It’s been a long wait the last couple of days but now it’s finally here near enough so my players are ready to go and so am I.”
