Rangers’ upcoming Europa League qualifying opponents, Willem II, have sent a message to the Gers on Twitter after their date in the next round was confirmed.
Steven Gerrard’s men cruised past part-timers Lincoln Red Imps with a 5-0 victory on Thursday evening courtesy of goals from James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Alfredo Morelos (2) and Jermain Defoe.
Willem II also scored five goals in their second-round qualifier on Wednesday evening against Rangers’ old foes, Progres Niederkorn, in Luxembourg.
As a result, the Gers will meet the Dutch club in the third round next Thursday (24 September), with the opposition receiving the added bonus of home advantage.
After Rangers’ victory, the Dutch club addressed them on Twitter.
This was an inoffensive message from Rangers’ upcoming opponents, unlike the infamous ‘you are next’ tweet from Braga ahead of last season’s Round of 32 tie in the competition proper, and the club responded with confirmation of the fixture.
Steven Gerrard’s side had a relatively straightforward workout against Lincoln Red Imps, with the manager claiming after the game that his side never really got out of first gear [RangersTV].
This next fixture promises to be a lot tougher, though.
Willem II don’t have much in the way of European pedigree and they lost their opening game of the 2020/21 Eredivisie season 2-0 to Heerenveen.
However, they are a young, dynamic team who defeated both Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in the league last season and had no issues whatsoever with Progres earlier in the week.
It’s a blow for Rangers that the game won’t take place at Ibrox and the one-leg nature of these qualifiers gives all underdogs an advantage.
A top Gers performance should still see the club through to the final qualifying round but they’ll have to earn their spot.
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