Rangers will face off against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League Round of 16 after this afternoon’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Portuguese manager is currently in charge of the Istanbul giants and talked up the Rangers support heading into the Europa League draw.
Rangers earned a bye to the Round of 16 in the competition courtesy of finishing 8th place in the revamped Europa League League Phase table.
Fenerbahce, who finished 24th, overcame 10th place Anderlecht in the playoff round, drawing 2-2 with the Belgian side after winning the first leg 3-0 in Turkey.
Here’s everything you need to know about Rangers’ Europa League draw and the potential route to this season’s Final in Bilbao.
Rangers v Europa League Round of 16 details
Rangers will travel to Fenerbahce for the first leg of the Round of 16 clash on the 6th of March.
Given Rangers are the seeded team in the tie, the Gers will then host Fenerbahce at Ibrox a week later on the 13th of March.
Kick off times will be confirmed at a later date.
As part of the tie with Fenerbahce, Rangers have been drawn on the orange side of this season’s revamped Europa League draw.
Who can Rangers face in Europa League Quarter Final?
This is where things get a little more complicated.
After the Europa League draw, Rangers know who they could potentially face should they reach the Quarter Final and Semi Final of the competition.
Rangers also know the order in which they will play at home and away in the event the club reaches this stage of the tournament.
In the Quarter Final, should Rangers overcome Fenerbahce they will face either AS Roma or Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox in the first leg of the tie.
The return leg will then be held in the opposing team’s stadium, which serves as an advantage.
The first leg of this season’s Europa League Quarter Finals is set for 10th April with the return a week later on the 17th of April.
Who can Rangers face in Europa League Semi Final?
In the event Rangers overcome Fenerbahce, and then the winner of the AS Roma and Athletic Bilbao clash, then they will reach the Europa League Semi Final.
Again, Rangers’ side of the draw came out the hat first, meaning either Rangers, Fenerbahce, AS Roma or Athletic Bilbao will play the first leg of the Semi Final at home.
The second leg will then be played at the subsequent home of the other Semi Finalist.
FCSB will face Lyon in the Round of 16 with Real Sociedad playing Manchester United, with the winners of those ties meeting in the Quarter Finals.
The winner of that tie will then reach the Europa League Semi Final and lie in wait for Rangers should the Ibrox side get there.
This season’s Europa League Semi Finals will be played on the 1st and 8th of May.
Can Rangers reach Europa League Final?
This is the most difficult draw Rangers could’ve expected in this season’s Europa League.
Fenerbahce represented the more challenging of the two potential Europa League Round of 16 options, with Bodo/Glimt going into the silver side of the draw against Olympiakos.
Not only will Rangers have to overcome Fenerbahce to have any chance of reaching this season’s Final in Bilbao, but the club will be disadvantaged playing the home leg first in both the Quarter Final and Semi Final.
Jose Mourinho’s team will provide a stiff but enthralling test and Rangers will need to be at their very best to progress.
Rangers are also on the same side of the draw as this season’s hosts, with Athletic Bilbao’s Estadio de San Mamés hosting the Final on the 21st of May.
Rangers could face Athletic, who are currently 4th in La Liga, in the Quarter Final and then face Manchester United in the semis.
Whatever happens, Rangers face challenging ties at every stage of the competition from here on in and will not in any way be favourites.
But with Philippe Clement’s young side excelling when those doubt them most, don’t write us off just yet.
