Ahead of the Europa League draw in Nyon this afternoon you can forgive Rangers fans for keeping an eye out for the progress of those clubs from Portugal in the competition.
Rangers have, after all, won three of four ties against clubs from the Iberian nation in this season’s competition, whilst Gers fans have twice travelled in their numbers to the country.
But for any Rangers fans thinking they’ll be booking up to head back to Portugal, it looks like the Gers’ travels to the home of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nandos are done for the season.
The only Portuguese sides left in the competition went crashing out last night as the European exploits of Scottish clubs outlast those from Portugal.
Sporting Lisbon were 3-1 up from their first leg against Istanbul Başakşehir but crashed out in the return in Turkey, losing 4-1 on the night after extra time. It ended 5-4 on aggregate.
Benfica went into their match with Shakhtar Donetsk trailing 2-1 from the first leg and narrowly missed out in Portugal following a 3-3 draw.
Rangers are fresh off the back of defeating form Portuguese side Braga 4-2 on aggregate following Wednesday night’s impressive 1-0 win in Portugal.
The Ibrox club also played Portuguese juggernauts Porto in the group stages, drawing 1-1 in Porto and beating the former Champions League winners 2-0 at Ibrox.
Whilst playing sides from the southwestern European nation has proved beneficial for Rangers, the fans might actually breathe a sigh of relief.
It looks like the bears won’t be returning to Portugal for the third time this season after the nation’s representatives crashed out of the Europa League.
