Rangers are all set to find out their Europa League Round of 16 opponents as fans turn their attentions to a legendary trip to Dublin.
The capital of the Republic of Ireland will play host to this year’s Europa League Final and only 16 teams will be left in the hat come Friday’s draw in Switzerland.
Rangers will of course be one of them having bypassed the Europa League playoff round – where the group runners up play a Champions League dropout – by finishing top of Group C.
A legendary 3-2 victory away to Real Betis has not only helped guide the Gers to this stage of the competition, but raised hopes of a repeat of 2022’s jaunt all the way to the Final in Seville.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Rangers Europa League draw as Philippe Clement gets fans dreaming of the Dublin Arena on May 22nd.
When is Rangers Europa League Round of 16 draw?
The draw for the Last 16 of the Europa League will take place on Friday 23rd February at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland at 12:00PM CET (11:00AM GMT).
Rangers are seeded for the draw which means they will only face one of the Europa League playoff winners and not a fellow group winner at this stage in the tournament.
It also means that Rangers will play the away leg first before playing the return at Ibrox.
When is Europa League Round of 16 fixtures?
The Europa League Last 16 is a two-legged tie with teams playing home and away.
Ties are scheduled on the 7th and 14th March with Rangers to play away from home on the 7th and at Ibrox on the 14th.
Where can I watch Rangers in Europa League action?
Broadcaster TNT Sports have the rights to broadcast the Europa League in the UK with both Rangers Round of 16 fixtures to be televised on the channel.
Potential Round of 16 opponents
Rangers will face one winner from the eight Europa League playoffs which are currently taking place across Europe.
The runners-up from the Europa League group stages face off against the 3rd place side from the Champions League group stages for a place in the competition’s Last 16.
The ties are as follows with the current aggregate score line listed in brackets:
- SC Freiburg v RC Lens (0-0)
- Rennes v AC Milan (0-3)
- Toulouse v Benfica (1-2)
- Qarabag v Braga (4-2)
- Sparta Prague v Galatasaray (2-3)
- Sporting v Young Boys (3-1)
- Marseille v Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2)
- Roma v Feyenoord (1-1)
What are the best and worst outcomes?
Depending on what kind of supporter you are, you’ll either want a big glamour tie or the easiest possible draw as Rangers target Europa League glory.
When it comes to the harder ties, drawing the winners of the Rennes v AC Milan, Toulouse v Benfica, Sporting v Young Boys, or Roma v Feyenoord probably represent the toughest games.
The winners of SC Freiburg v RC Lens, Qarabag v Braga, Sparta Prague v Galatasaray, or Marseille v Shakhtar Donetsk, are probably more favourable.
Interestingly, if Shakhtar overcome Marseille in France and Rangers draw the Ukrainian side, the Gers will travel to Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion for the first leg of the tie.
