Rangers take on Jagiellonia Bialystok in a UEFA Europa League qualifier, with the first leg scheduled for 6 August.
This is the third qualifying round of the European competition, with the Light Blues aiming to secure a pathway into the league stage of the tournament.
If they win that tie, they will need to win another one in the next round to qualify, and failure to do so will see them featuring in the Conference League next season.
Would you want Rangers to compete in the Europa League or the Conference League next season?
Money will be more in the Europa League, but the Conference League gives you a better chance of a European trophy…
AZ Jackson goes AWOL for Jagiellonia Bialystok ahead of the new season
Rangers have been handed a boost ahead of the Bialystok clash as one of the Polish club’s players, AZ Jackson, has failed to turn up for training in pre-season.
The midfielder has remained in the United States and has not been granted official leave by the club.
He joined them last summer and was viewed as a marquee addition from MLS outfit Columbus Crew.
How will John Souttar be remembered at Ibrox?
He seems to have played his last game for Rangers…
Due to his explosive athleticism and pressing intensity, he was expected to be the engine of the side.
His absence will undoubtedly make things easier for the Ibrox outfit, as they would have had to prepare for the American midfielder’s physical threat.
The Polish club even released a statement to confirm that the 24-year-old has not returned for pre-season.
The statement read: “Regarding the absence of AZ Jackson since the start of the pre-season, we would like to inform our fans that the player has not yet reported back to the club.
“The player’s official status and further comment regarding his future will come later.”
What team can Rangers fans expect Derek McInnes to field in the Europa League qualifier?
Playing away from home in the first leg gives the Gers the advantage of keeping things tight, knowing that they can secure a good result at Ibrox.
The Bialystok outfit like playing a high-risk and high-possession brand of football, so Derek McInnes is likely to play two defensive midfielders and deploy a 4-4-1-1 system.
Which formation should Derek McInnes use at Rangers?
Given the players he's got so far, there are a number of ways that the team can play…
Starts for Cammy Devlin, Vanja Dragojevic or another defensive midfielder who signs until then could be very much on the cards.
He will also ask his wingers to track the opposition full-backs as the Polish side ask their full-backs to bomb forward.
Due to their high-risk nature, there will be space in behind for the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti to be lethal on the counter-attack.
Receive a digest of our best Rangers content each week direct to your mailbox
