Rangers Sign To 5 best and worst Rangers scenarios for Euro last 16 tie as Clement awaits foes

Rangers shocked Europe, to an extent, when they saw off Real Betis in an unlikely victory in Spain to secure their seeded spot in the Europa League last 16. It was a magnificent evening for the Light Blues thanks to Kemar Roofe’s late strike which added to goals from Abdallah Sima and Cyriel Dessers that knocked Betis out of the competition despite the odds seeming stacked in their favour. Gers are in the midst of a terrific run of form both domestically and on the Euro stage and Philippe Clement will hope to keep that feelgood factor going. The issue is coming up against some of the competition’s heaviest hitters in the knockout round and that’s exactly what could happen when the draw is made on Friday. There are still games to be played in the second-legs this week and Gers are seeded which rules out the likes of Liverpool, Leverkusen and West Ham.

At least for this round. But who are the best case scenario clubs Gers could face? And, alternatively, who are they hoping to avoid? The German outfit are not in the best of form in the Bundesliga and sit eighth in the competition. It’s not been their best season, albeit they’ve performed in Europe to make it this far. Defeats in recent fixtures to Werder Bremen, Heidenheim and Stuttgart at home have held them back and they were unconvincing in their goalless draw with RC Lens in the first-leg of their playoff. Toulouse When it’s between the French outfit and Benfica, there’s an obvious choice on paper, certainly. Sitting in a dismal 13th spot in Ligue 1 right now, Toulouse have won just five of 22 in the league. They’re not in the best form and even if they do beat the Portuguese in the second-leg, it may well be a favourable tie for Gers. Gers know they can beat the Czech outfit and if they can squeeze past Galatasaray despite a narrow defeat from the first-leg, Clement and his troops will likely feel confident knowing they can do so again in the last 16. Rennes As unlikely as it is the French side will make it through, that’s all the more reason for Rangers to hope they do! They face an uphill battle to make it into the round after a hammering by AC Milan in the first but if they can shake the competition up and go through – even though they’ll take confidence from that – Gers will surely be confident over two legs. Young Boys They may be leading the Swiss League but the alternatives would perhaps provide tougher opposition for the Premiership leaders.

Recent form hasn’t exactly been on fire with defeats to Basel and Sporting while they drew in the league with Lugano. Last time the two sides faced off Gers knocked them out, and they’d hope to do so again. 5 worst options AC Milan The Italian giants were unlucky in their Champions League group to finish third but they are now surely in serious contention to win the Europa League. Third in Serie A is also no mean feat and with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Rafa Leão and Christian Pulisic in their ranks they’d be tough to beat – even at the Ibrox cauldron. Roma They may not have the Special One in Jose Mourinho anymore but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Their 1-1 draw in the first-leg with Feyenoord could’ve been a victory but they have top operators like Romelu Lukaku and Pablo Dybala who would test any opponent. The Portuguese giants are leading the way in their division and have lost just once in their league football. A victory over Toulouse in the first-leg also stands them in good stead for this one.

Of the available opponents you’d have to think there are easier foes out there for Gers. Marseille On first glance with the French side being ninth in their league table you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d make an easier mark. But look closer at their Euro run and they’re flying. Finished their group second behind Brighton after a 3-3 draw with Ajax and then a 4-3 win over the Dutch giants. Rino Gattuso has just been sacked which may have them in a bit of disarray but never count them out with players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye. Qarabag They’re definitely not the biggest name in the competition right now but they’re playing well enough to merit the respect. Top of their league by a country mile, also, has them in strong form and playing with confidence. They have a 4-2 aggregate lead from their first-leg clash with Braga – played AWAY from home – to take back to Azerbaijan and they’d be a dark horse for sure.

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