Rangers will welcome Greek giants Panathinaikos to Ibrox on Tuesday 22 July, as Russell Martin takes charge of his first European tie as Rangers head coach in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
The return leg in Athens looms next week, but the stakes for the Light Blues are now clearer following today’s draw for the next round of European competition.
Should Rangers overcome Panathinaikos, they will move one step closer to the Champions’ League group stage, facing either Viktoria Plzeň of the Czech Republic or Swiss side Servette in the third qualifying round.
On paper, it’s a potentially favourable tie, both Plzeň and Servette are seasoned European competitors, but not among the continent's elite, offering Rangers a real opportunity to progress further.
However, failure to dispatch Panathinaikos would see the Gers drop into the UEFA Europa League, and the task there could be even tougher.
In the event of defeat, Rangers would meet either Turkish giants Beşiktaş or Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Both clubs boast formidable European pedigree and represent a significantly more difficult route to group-stage football.
For Martin, the equation is simple: win, and Rangers remain in the hunt for a return to the Champions League.
Lose, and they face a punishing path through a treacherous Europa League draw.
The Ibrox faithful will be hoping for a strong start on home soil next Tuesday, knowing what’s at stake in both victory and defeat.
Rangers vs Panathinaikos: Where to watch Russell Martin's competitive debut?
Rangers vs Panathinaikos: Familiar foes meet in crucial Champions League qualifier
Rangers split squad as Russell Martin makes brutal early calls
Major Thelo Aasgaard setback raises serious questions over Rangers’ injury curse
Club 1872 resurface — But do they still deserve a voice?
But how have we matched up against each of our potential opponents previously?
We touched on our poor record against Panathinaikos in our preview. But what about our next round options?
If Rangers win, potential Champions League Third Qualifying Round opponents:
Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic)
Previous meetings: None - This would be a first-ever meeting. Plzeň have UCL group-stage experience and knocked Celtic out of Europe in 2013, but Rangers would fancy their chances.
The Czech side boast former Burnley and Derby County forward Matěj Vydra within their ranks and finished 2nd in the Czech First League last year.
Servette (Switzerland)
Previous meetings: 2023–24 UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round
Servette 1–1 Rangers (Geneva)
Familiar foes from two seasons ago. Rangers edged Servette in a hard-fought tie under Michael Beale and would be confident of repeating that success.
Interestingly the refereeing team for the match with Panathinaikos oversaw these ties in 2023.
2nd placed in the Swiss Super League last year Servette are decent, but Rangers should fancy their chances against but with long serving players such as Miroslav Stevanović and Timothé Cognat both coming up for a decade with the club the Swiss side have a good understanding and stability within their squad.
If Rangers lose, potential Europa League Third Qualifying Round opponents:
Beşiktaş (Turkey)
Previous meetings: None
Surprisingly, no meetings in Europe to date. Beşiktaş are a strong side with a big following and solid European experience, a tough test.
Rangers have a decent record against Turkish sides, having defeated both Bursaspor and Galatasaray with recent memory.
With Ridvan Yilmaz rumoured with a return to his former club the diminutive left back could potentially make his second Besiktas debut against Rangers should the stars align.
Managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the Istanbul based side finished 4th last year in the Turkish Super Lig last year, and boast players such as Turkish international Semih Kılıçsoy, former Chelsea man Tammy Abraham and Portuguese veteran João Mário in their ranks.
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Previous meetings: None
First potential meeting. Shakhtar are seasoned European campaigners, often reaching the UCL and UEL knockout stages. Likely the toughest draw of all.
The Ukrainian side have played Old Firm rivals Celtic on 6 occasions with a 2-2-2 record, drawing 1-1 in both matches against them in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions’ League group stages.
Rangers dropped out of the UCL last year to fellow Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, who won last seasons Ukrainian Premier League and will be looking to avoid another defeat should they face the third placed side from last season’s UPL.