Rangers secured league phase European football with their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round victory over Panathinaikos last Wednesday.
Their 3-1 aggregate win over the Greek side ensured UEFA Europa League football at worst for Russell Martin in his first campaign as Ibrox head coach.
The Gers will now face Czech side Viktoria Plzeň in the third qualifying round for European football’s top competition with a win seeing the side progress to the playoff round.
In the playoff round a win would see Rangers return to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2022 under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.
The first leg against Plzeň will take place at Ibrox tomorrow, Tuesday 5th August, while the return will be in the Doosan Arena next Wednesday, 13th August.
Should we get past the Czech outfit we now know who lies in wait for the final round of qualifying following today’s draw.
We will take on either Austrian side RB Salzburg or Belgian side Club Brugge.
The play-off ties will take place over 19/20 August and 26/27 August.
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We have never faced the Austrians, formerly known as SV Austria Salzburg before their takeover by the Red Bull corporation, the runners up in last years Austrian Bundesliga will be a new challenge for the club.
We have however, faced the Belgians very recently.
The 19-times Belgian champions travelled to Ibrox last month, for a pre-season friendly in what was Martin’s Ibrox bow.
Our 2-2 draw with Brugge at Ibrox showcased a team in transition under new boss Russell Martin.
With key players absent and several fringe players given a chance, the squad showed some glimpses of Martin’s evolving high-intensity, possession-based style in his first public match in charge.
Despite going 2 down early the team fought back to draw, Mohammed Diomande scored before youngster Findlay Curtis levelled the match in the dying moments.
The side, previously managed by former Gers boss Phillipe Clement, finished runners up in Belgium last year, have also faced Rangers in competitive European action all the way back in 1992/93.
Rangers earned a 1-1 draw in Belgium, thanks to a Peter Huistra second-half equaliser, before winning the next game at Ibrox 2-1, with goals from Ian Durrant and the famous Scott Nisbet fluke goal.
Both will provide different but strong tests. There are no easy matches at this stage and if we want the financial and reputational rewards being in the Champions League provides, we must overcome these top sides and earn our place.