Rangers could face six newcomers for the first time in the Europa League draw, as intrigue builds.

Rangers could face six newcomers for the first time in the Europa League draw, as intrigue builds.

All eyes will be on Friday’s draw for Gers fans, and there may be a new experience for them.

Rangers fans will now turn their attention to Europe,

namely Friday’s eagerly awaited last-16 draw at the House of European Football in Nyon.

It must feel like a lifetime ago for the Light Blue legions since that wonderful historic night against Real Betis,

yet it was only a few months ago that they celebrated their first victory on Spanish soil.

Philippe Clement and his club were rewarded for finishing first in their Europa League group by advancing to

the final 16 as the seeded team, avoiding the round of 32.

They haven’t been able to rest easy after using last week’s free week to squeeze in their domestic game against Ross County,

but they can sit back and relax this midweek while 16 teams compete for a spot in the hat in Switzerland.

There are plenty of familiar foes to fight, but the thought of something new always excites fans,

who will soon be reaching for their passports.

And here, Record Sport examines at half a dozen probable opponents that they have never faced in European competition before.

During Steven Gerrard’s debut season with Rangers, fans chanted about traveling to Baku

after his great European accomplishments.

The Azerbaijani capital hosted the 2019 final, but they had to wait three years to fulfill their aim of reaching the stage in Seville.

However, Baku could be in the cards this season, as they have a 4-2 first leg lead over Braga,

a team Rangers are quite familiar with from previous years, from their match in Portugal.

Qarabag, Celtic’s Champions League qualification opponents,

have already made history as the first Azerbaijani team to reach this round,

with star player Abdellah Zoubir, a former Hibs loanee depicted above scoring against Aberdeen,

linked with Celtic this week.

Freiburg

The Bundesliga team, led by one of Europe’s rising stars, Junior Adamu, would be a formidable opponent.

Christian Streich has led the Germans for 13 years and has constantly seen them punch above their weight.

And, after a scoreless draw against Lens in France, they will be confident of making it to the round of 16.

Toulouse

On paper, the French team would be one of Rangers’ easier games, given they are now 13th in Ligue 1.

However, they have a difficult task after losing 2-1 in their first leg against Benfica,

despite the fact that the game was played in Lisbon.

So it’s not impossible that they’ll be headed to the south of France.

Rangers’ rivals Celtic have faced the Ukrainians on numerous occasions, but this would be the first for the Light Blues.

However, if they progress against Marseille,

they will be spared a journey to the war-torn country – Rangers do not need a reminder of their history

against the French team – as Shakhtar play their home games in Hamburg,

where Gers fans have strong ties. The first leg ended 2-2 for the French side, who recently dismissed former Ibrox star Rino Gattuso.

RC Lens

The French parent club of new Rangers winger Oscar Cortes – a tie with the Ligue 1 outfit could rule

the Colombian out depending on the terms of the agreement of his deal – who are current sixth in the top flight in France.

Their best run in Europe came in 1999/00 when they lost to Arsenal in the semi-finals of this competition under its previous guise of the UEFA Cup.

They were held to a goalless draw at home to SC Freiburg in the first leg so have it all to do.

Roma Jose Mourinho might no longer be at the helm of Rome’s iconic Stadio Olimpico

but a trip to the Italian capital would still be a mouthwatering prospect.

They are currently delicately poised at 1-1 from the first leg of their last-32 tie with Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Daniele De Rossi’s men will be favourites to progress and the 40-year-old club legend is impressing in the hot-seat after six games in charge.

The Italians are currently sixth in Serie A and have former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham in their ranks.

Rangers did play the Italians in a friendly in 2004 and Alex McLeish’s men won 4-1 but they have never played competitively.

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