Rangers get the pipe and slippers out as the Europa League runners up learn the Champions League playoff draw for season 23/24.
The Gers have already secured safe passage to the competition’s last 16 after a legendary win away to Real Betis in Spain sent the La Liga side tumbling from the competition.
The 3-2 victory was Rangers’ first-ever win over a Spanish side in Spain and sent a shockwave through Europa League Group C.
The second place Europa League sides will face the third place Champions League sides for a place in the Europa League Last 16.
The winners of those ties will then face the Europa League group winners, with the draw to be made upon completion of the Champions League playoff.
Europa League draw sees clubs learn Champions League fate
Sparta Prague – who dumped Aris Limassol in Cyprus – would go on to finish 2nd in Rangers’ group with a Champions League playoff to come in this week’s Europa League draw.
And now the Czech club have just found out a trip to Turkey and Istanbul lies in wait after drawing Galatasaray in the playoff round of the competition.
It’s an enticing battle and Ibrox fans might be breathing a sigh of relief that they don’t face a mid-season trip to the corner of Europe to face the Turks.
There are some other intriguing battles to keep an eye on too for any of those Rangers fans harbouring ambitions of another run to the final.
One of Feyenoord and AS Roma, Shakhtar and Marseille, & Milan and Rennes will not make it to the Last 16.
Cedric Itten and BSC Young Boys will need to overcome Sporting Lisbon if the Swiss striker fancies a Rangers reunion later in the competition.
Rangers squad earn safe passage to last 16
With European football now shelved until March for Rangers, the club’s squad can now view this Champions League playoff round of the competition without stress.
It’s a hugely fortuitous position to be in and the Rangers squad deserve huge credit for coming through their Europa League group as winners ahead of this draw.
Rangers know they have a huge opportunity to gear up for the Europa League Last 16 and whoever lies in wait will probably not be fancying the trip to face Philippe Clement’s team at Ibrox.
The Gers have been the kings of the competition in recent seasons and fans are dreaming of ending this recent run of Europa League success by seeing the trophy hoisted above James Tavernier’s head.
