RANGERS return to Europa League action this midweek after last week’s stunning home win over Red Star Belgrade.
The Ibrox men are well on course for the quarter-finals of the competition after a stunning 3-0 first-leg win at Ibrox thanks to goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun.
The Light Blues dumped the German giants Borussia Dortmund out of the last-32 of the competition to earn a two-legged showdown with Red Star with a place in the last eight the big prize on offer on Thursday night.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men have reached the last-16 stage in the last three campaigns – with Bayer Leverkusen and Slavia Prague eliminating then boss Steven Gerrard’s side.
But they are back to make it third-time lucky with a place in the quarter-finals now within touching distance.
Reaching this stage of the competition would give Rangers a clear vision of who they would need to overcome to reach the showpiece in Seville.
And the bad news for the Scottish champions is they could face a potential nightmare route to the final.
There are no seedings or country protection after this round meaning that it is a free draw.
La Liga giants Barcelona are a potential opponent in the last eight – should they over come Galatasaray.
Xavi’s men drew a blank at the Nou Camp last week as both sides played out a 0-0 draw ahead of their return in Turkey, but the Spanish side will still fancy their chances of progressing.
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It would prove to be the ultimate last eight test but having defeated Dortmund in their own backyard before holding them to a draw at Ibrox, Rangers would relish the chance of another giant-killing.
The match-up would also present an emotional reunion for Van Bronckhorst and his former club.
If this scenario was to present itself and the Light Blues advanced to the last four, serial winners Sevilla could stand in their way.
They hold a slender 1-0 lead over West Ham from their first-leg last 16 tie and would also need to negotiate their quarter-final match-up – but they are experts at going all the way in this competition and you would never write them off from doing it again.
Europa League last 16 ties
Rangers vs Red Star Belgrade
Braga vs Monaco
Porto vs Lyon
Atalanta vs Leverkusen
Sevilla vs West Ham
Barcelona vs Galatasaray
Leipzig
Real Betis vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Also the fact that the final will be played in their Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan home would be another huge carrot for the La Liga outfit.
Sevilla are the nearest rivals to Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish league title with Barcelona five points behind them.
Facing the La Liga rivals would prove to be Rangers’ toughest route to the final but would also present memorable occasions for both the players and fans.
Of course, this is all hypothetical at the moment and lots of permutations stand in the way, beginning with Rangers’ tie with Red Star Belgrade.
Best case, it might be a case of history repeating itself.
Rangers have previously eliminated Braga from the competition and would fancy their chances of doing so once again in a last eight tie if both teams qualify for the next stage.
Then a date with their Portuguese rivals Porto – another team the Light Blues have faced in recent times – would likely appeal in a two-legged showdown if both sides made the semi-final stages.
Braga did their part with a 2-0 win over Monaco, although Porto have it all to do after a 1-0 defeat to Lyon.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
