Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg Nico Williams left winger of Athletic Club and Spaincelebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Athletic Club and Rangers FC at Estadio de San Mames on April 17, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. Bilbao Spain Imago Images
Rangers manager Derek McInnes faces a demanding schedule as the new season approaches, with both domestic and European commitments arriving in quick succession.
The Premiership campaign begins away at Dundee United on Friday, July 31, giving McInnes little time to settle his squad before the European rounds begin.
Rangers finished third in the league last season, meaning the Europa League represents their best possible outcome this campaign, with no Champions League bounty available.
Last season’s post-split collapse has consequences that stretch well into this European cycle, and the club must now navigate qualifying rounds just to reach the competition proper.
Rangers enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round as a seeded side, with potential opponents including Hammarby IF or RSC Anderlecht, Hajduk Split or Pafos FC, Jagiellonia Bialystok, and Tromso or Hradec Kralove.
One of those potential opponents, Tromso, carries an added dimension, as Rangers transfer target Jens Hjerto-Dahl plays for the Norwegian club.
Cardiff City are favourites to sign the Dane, though he has made clear he would prefer a move to Ibrox, making a potential draw against his club an intriguing subplot.
Hearts are also watching proceedings closely, with their own path through Champions League qualifying becoming clearer after the draw in Nyon.
The Jambos face Sturm Graz in their second qualifying round, and if they progress, potential opponents include Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze, Olympiakos, Lyon, and Bodo/Glimt.
New striker Amadou Ba-Sy was added to the Hearts squad after initially being left out due to an illness that caused him to miss pre-season training.
Defender Stuart Findlay has been clear that the Sturm Graz tie is no free hit, with Hearts treating the double-header as a genuine opportunity to reach the Champions League proper.
Sturm Graz finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and made the Champions League league phase two seasons ago, making them heavy favourites for the tie.
Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has spoken of his ambition to replicate the success of Bodo/Glimt, saying he is inspired by their model as he looks to “move mountains” with Motherwell.
Johansson arrives after two and a half years with Rosenborg, and will be watching the Conference League draw closely as the Steelmen face HB of the Faroe Islands in their second qualifying round tie.
Hibs are also in Conference League action, facing Kosovan outfit Milisheva, with both Scottish clubs eager to learn their potential third round opponents from the draw.
About the Author
