When is Rangers' Champions League playoff round draw, who can they face and what happens if they lose to Viktoria Plzen?
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
RUSSELL MARTIN told Rangers fans in midweek that victory over Panathinaikos gives the club a chance to really "attack" the Champions League.
And the next stage in that journey will be mapped out this Monday, even before his side take to the field for their third qualifying round clash against Viktoria Plzen.
2
Rangers' coach Russell Martin looks on
Credit: EPA
2
Rangers players thank their fans after the Panathinaikos win
Credit: AFP
The good news for the Ibrox men is that, unlike the previous round, is that their name will only be in ONE draw when the ceremony is made in Nyon.
That's because victory over the Greeks GUARANTEES Rangers Europa League group phase football at worst.
But it's the Champions League that Rangers really want - with the chance to rake in a cool £40m from their involvement in the club's new look glamour club competition for the first time.
First up it is a Plzen side under the charge of wily veteran coach Miroslav Koubek who have achieved some remarkable results in Europe in recent years.
But the bad news for Martin and his men is that things don't get any easier - with some massive teams still lying in wait in the playoff round, then the Gers are unseeded.
Celtic too will see their name pulled from the hat from the first time, with the Hoops having five potential opponents in the 'Champions Path'.
But here's everything you need to know about the draw from a Rangers perspective.
When is Rangers' Champions League playoff round draw?
Rangers will learn their Champions League play-off round draw fate this Monday, August 4
It gets under way at 11am
The draw will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon
Is Rangers' Champions League playoff round draw on TV and can I live stream it?
The draw will be streamed live on Uefa.com
Alternatively you can follow it all on SunSport's live blog
Will Rangers be seeded and who can they face in the Champions League play-off round?
Rangers will be UNSEEDED for the play-off round draw
There's two options for Russell Martin's side - they'll either face the winners of Nice vs Benfica, or the winners of Club Brugge vs Red Bull Salzburg
The Ibrox side drew 2-2 with Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly under Russell Martin
The first legs will be played on 19/20 August 2025 with the second legs 26/27 August 2025
What happens if Rangers LOSE to Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round
Rangers drop directly into the Europa League group phase
That guarantees them EIGHT matches
Rangers star Dujon Sterling spotted on revolutionary anti-gravity treadmill as he ramps up injury recovery
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Son Heung-min leaves pitch in tears after final Tottenham appearance against Newcastle
Son Heung-min looks to have played his final game for Tottenham as he prepares to move to the MLS with the South Korean reduced to tears as he enjoys a heroes reception Son Heung-min was in tears after playing for Tottenham for what looks to be the final time as the South Korean prepares to leave the north London outfit. The forward confirmed he would leave Spurs this summer but he captained the side for the final time as they played Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in his homeland. Son was given a guard of honour by both sets of players when he was subbed off, but whilst he walked off smiling the Tottenham icon was seen in tears on the bench with his head in his hands. He later enjoyed the limelight as he was hoisted into the air by his team-mates. He is now in advanced talks to join MLS side LAFC, which would to an end almost a decade at Tottenham. The former Premier League Golden Boot winner has confessed he's found it a hugely challenging decision to make but the club continue to make changes as they embark on a new era. Son is now 33 and last season was not as influential as he has been. New manager Thomas Frank has continued to pursue and capture new players, who are likely to hamper the South Korean's playing time and involvement. Earlier this week the Tottenham striker said: 'I came to north London as a kid - a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn't speak English. Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.' The new Tottenham boss also gave a pretty clear hint that his outing in his native South Korea was likely to be Son's final appearance as he declared him 'one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League'. Frank said: 'If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. A beautiful ending.' Son has scored 173 goals in 454 games for Spurs and last season captained them to their first trophy in 17 years when they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final. That game in Bilbao may well turn out to be his final competitive appearance for the club. It was the forward who lifted the trophy and jokingly claimed he was now a club legend after being front and centre for the historic moment. "Let's say I'm a legend. Why not?" he told TNT Sports after the final. "Seventeen years - nobody has done it, so let's say with amazing players, [I am] probably a legend of the club. This is what I've always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world."
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Hibs transfer update as star's Blackburn move nears an end and Grant Hanley latest
A Hibs transfer round up as one star nears an exit and the club look to secure an addition. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs are set to bank seven figures from a deal that will take Lewis Miller to Blackburn Rovers - as they eye Grant Hanley after his Birmingham City spell. The Australian international did not feature in either leg of the club's Europa League second round qualifying matches against FC Midtjylland, which they painfully lost 3-2 on aggregate after extra time at Easter Road. Blackburn Rovers have been keen on striking a deal for the right-back who has played on the right side of a back three for head coach David Gray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A deal is believed to be all but done, in a £1m plus deal including add ons. Miller had one year left on his contract but will now get a crack at the English Championship, having arrived in 2022 from Central Coast Mariners, playing 85 times in Leith. In the defensive area, Hibs are looking at experienced Scotland international Grant Hanley, who is a free agent after time at Birmingham City. Grant Hanley to Hibs latest He was part of the squad that earned promotion to the Championship but was not a regular starter. Aged 33, the defender has been used regularly by Steve Clarke at international level, and is armed with plenty of English football experience via Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, Newcastle United plus Birmingham City. He has not played domestically in Scotland before. Hanley's move is believed to still be up in the air, having attended the second leg of the Midtjylland tie on Thursday. David Gray's side have entered a manic fixture period, beginning their Premiership campaign away at Dundee on Sunday, They now face Partizan Belgrade at the Conference League's third qualifying in the weeks ahead over two legs after their defeat to Danish opposition. So far this summer, Hibs have signed goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, versatile option Josh Mulligan and midfielder Jamie McGrath. They broke their transfer record to sign forward Thibault Klidje from Luzern. Gray told Sportsound pre match ahead of the Dundee game kicking off: "I was quick to remind the players about the level of performance we put in over both legs [against Midtjylland]. It was a high standard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad David Gray makes Hibs demand "There was disappointment in how we lost the game, that was a blow to the players. But I reminded them that this is what it's all about - league football. A few players played significant minutes, but the subs that came on also did. It is only one game into the season, we're not five or six games down the line when we need to rotate. "The expectation of the football club is rising all the time. We can't rest on the fact we did well last season. There's a lot of new managers, new players, the challenge is to keep improving. We can't believe the hype."
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Rodgers names Celtic flag day XI as two summer signings start
The league flag will be unfurled by Paul McStay pre-match. The sides last met on the final league matchday of last term, with James Forrest's late leveller cancelling out Jonah Ayunga's opener. Read more: Rodgers and Celtic will be hoping for a much more comfortable afternoon today as they aim to move two points clear of city rivals Rangers after their draw with Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday night. Kasper Schmeichel begins in goal for the hosts, with Kieran Tierney making his first competitive appearance in green and white in over six years at left-back. Callum McGregor captains the team in midfield as Adam Idah leads the line. In total, there are nine changes from Celtic's final pre-season starting XI that drew 1-1 with Al Ahli in 90 minutes before defeating the Asian champions on penalties. Kick-off this afternoon is at the rather unorthodox time of 4.30pm. Celtic flag day starting XI: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Hatate, Nygren, Yang, Maeda, Idah. Subs: Sinisalo, Trusty, McCowan, Shin, Kenny, Engels, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.
