Couhaib Driouech is set to fly to Glasgow for his Rangers medical on Tuesday as the club closes in on his signing from PSV.
However, Rangers supporters will have to wait before seeing their new attacking addition in European action.
Driouech cannot be added to Derek McInnes' Europa League squad in time to face Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday night, with UEFA's 2026/27 regulations ruling out a late addition for the second leg.
Rangers trail Jagiellonia 2-1 following last Thursday's first leg in Poland, with the return taking place at Ibrox on Thursday, August 13.
Why Driouech will be forced to wait for Rangers debut
The key issue is UEFA's registration deadline.
Under Article 31 of the 2026/27 Europa League regulations, clubs must submit their List A for the third qualifying round by 23:59 CET on July 31.
There is a provision allowing clubs to register a maximum of two new eligible players after that deadline, but those registrations must be completed by 23:59 CET the day before the relevant first-leg match.
The rule means Rangers' late additions, Daisuke Yokota and Olwethu Makhanya, for the Jagiellonia tie had to be registered by the deadline before the first leg in Poland on August 6.
As Driouech is only now travelling to Scotland for his medical and is expected to sign a four-year contract if everything goes smoothly, he cannot be registered under that provision in time to play at Ibrox on Thursday.
The UEFA regulations also state that a player must be properly registered on List A or List B to be eligible to play, with the club carrying responsibility for fielding an ineligible player.
That explains why Rangers' European squad for the Jagiellonia tie was already taking shape before Driouech's proposed arrival.
When can Driouech play?
The good news for Rangers is that the winger could potentially be registered for the next round.
If McInnes' side overturn the 2-1 deficit and eliminate Jagiellonia, they will progress to the Europa League play-off round.
UEFA's regulations set August 14 at 23:59 CET as the List A deadline for the play-offs. A club can also add up to two new eligible players after that deadline, provided those registrations are completed by 23:59 CET on the day before the relevant first leg.
That gives Rangers a clear opportunity to get Driouech registered for their next European tie, assuming the transfer is completed and he is domestically eligible.
He could also debut in Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup clash against St Mirren at Ibrox on Sunday.
This all means Driouech's arrival could still come at an important point in Rangers' European campaign.
The Moroccan winger would not be available for Thursday's crucial Jagiellonia clash, but should Rangers advance, McInnes could have him available for the play-off round.
Driouech's proposed arrival would therefore strengthen Rangers' attacking options for the next stage rather than the immediate European tie.
Rangers are currently preparing for Thursday's second leg knowing they must overturn a one-goal deficit at Ibrox.
The immediate priority, however, is completing his medical and signing his Rangers contract.
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