The fun of the first ever league stage is now over, and the serious business of knockout European football is about to come to Ibrox.
Europa League nights under the lights are Rangers’ specialist subject, and the Light Blues now have knockout playoff matches to look forward to – as they attempt to go one better than they managed in 2022 by lifting European silverware. And we now know who they could face in the last 16, with either Anderlecht, Bodo/Glimt, FC Twente or Fenerbahçe standing between the Philippe Clement’s men and a lucrative place in the last eight of the competition, meaning Jose Mourinho Turkish giants could be coming to Glasgow. After bypassing the nerve-shredding playoffs Gers fans now have a break from European action, with the last 16 not kicking off until Thursday March 6 and second legs a week later on March 13
Fans will have to wait until the draw on January 31 to know for definite who they could face, but will be full of confidence with Rangers saving most of their best performances of the season for Thursday nights under the lights. The away form woes that have blighted Gers domestically have vanished on the continent. Malmo and Nice were both put to the sword comfortably, whilst a draw at Greek giants Olympiacos was far from the worst outcome.
Hamza Igamane burst onto the scene with his starring role in the Nice rout, and fans will be hoping for more magic from the Moroccan come the play off matches. Igamane’s rise to form has also taken some of the pressure off the mercurial Cyriel Dessers – and he could be working his way right back into boss Clement’s plans, although rumours linking the Nigerian with a move away from Ibrox won’t go away.
Last year Rangers’ Europa League adventure came to an end at home to Benfica at the last 16 stage – having made it to the final back in 2022 however, fans will once again be dreaming of a lengthy run in the competition. And with the hopes of a Premiership title all but over, they can throw everything towards making it a European campaign to remember once again.