The remarkable Europa League connotation which could land Rangers ‘two home ties’ in last 16
Rangers could have ‘two home ties’ in the Europa League last 16 in they draw Shakhtar Donetsk with the Ukrainians using HSV’s Volksparkstadion.
Despite the ongoing turmoil in the country,
the Ukrainian champions played in the Champions League group stages at Hamburg’s iconic 57k-seater stadium.
This trend continued into the Europa League, with Shakhtar Donetsk drawing 2-2 with Marseille at the German ground.
With that tie perfectly poised and Rangers eagerly awaiting news of their Europa League Last 16 opponents,
a trip to HSV’s Volksparkstadion would feel like a home match for the Gers.
Is the Volksparkstadion a fantasy for Ibrox fans?
This is due to Rangers’ close relationship with Hamburger SV,
which plays in the Volksparkstadion.
In fact, the Bundesliga 2 team is an official Rangers partner,
and the two even played a pre-season friendly at Ibrox last summer, with the Gers winning 2-1.
However, supporters who have been dreaming of a summer return at the Volksparkstadion may get their vacation to Germany a little earlier
thanThere are a lot of ifs and buts around a potential draw against Shakhtar Donestk,
but if Rangers do face the Ukrainians, what a double header the match promises to be.
With 50,000 Rangers fans definitely ready to turn Ibrox into a fortress,
the second leg at HSV’s Volksparkstadion would effectively be a second home tie.
Rangers Europa League draw is not set in stone.
Obviously, there are several things at play in this circumstance.
To begin, Shakhtar Donetsk must win in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome or force a penalty shootout.
Given that one former Rangers midfielder has recently been fired as the French side’s manager, we wouldn’t bank against it.
Then Shakhtar Donetsk would have to pull out of Friday afternoon’s draw in Nyon against Rangers,
who are seeded among the other seven group winners.
With the Europa League playoffs wrapping up this week,
a trip to the Volksparkstadion will undoubtedly appeal to Rangers fans.
Rangers’ tight relationship with HSV stems from Glaswegian dock workers promoting their German counterparts to the club in the 1970s.
The alliance has only grown stronger since then, with Jorg Albertz playing an important role in cementing it during his illustrious periods with both clubs.
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