UEFA have confirmed Rangers potential opponents for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The Gers qualified for the next phase on Thursday night courtesy of a 1-1 draw at home against Young Boys.
When Alfredo Morelos gave the dominant hosts the lead after half an hour, they looked likely to go through as Group G winners. However, Porto defeated Feyenoord at the Dragao, so when Borna Barisic put through his own net in the 89th minute, it ensured Steven Gerrard’s side dropped down to the runners-up spot.
There are no easy draws this stage of the competition, but finishing second in the group means the Gers could now face any number of big-name European sides.
Here’s the full list as stated on UEFA.com: Ajax, Arsenal, Basel, Benfica, Braga, Espanyol, Gent, Internazionale Milano, İstanbul Başakşehir, LASK, Malmö, Manchester United, Salzburg, Sevilla
14 possible opponents, most of them very very big clubs.
Arsenal and Manchester United stand out straight away as English Premier League heavyweights, with United winning this competition three seasons ago.
There are other teams with major recent European pedigree in there too. Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, while Sevilla have won the Europa League a remarkable five times in the last 15 years.
Former European Cup winners Benfica are also in there, as are a resurgent Inter Milan under Antonio Conte and a Red Bull Salzburg side who are currently top of the Austrian Bundesliga.
Rangers would be massive underdogs if drawn against any of those sides, although Steven Gerrard has already made it clear that his team are intent on springing more surprises [RangersTV]
Heading into Monday’s draw, then, the likes of Basel, Braga, Espanyol, Gent, Istanbul Basaksehir, LASK and Malmo are the ‘lesser’ potential opponents.
Espanyol would perhaps be the ideal draw, given that the Spanish side are currently rooted to the bottom of La Liga, having won only one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
