Union Saint-Gilloise will head into the return Champions League showdown with Rangers on the back of a thumping in their domestic league.
The Belgian outfit inflicted a two-nil defeat on Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men during the week in the first meeting of their third qualifying round clash. However, while the Light Blues ran out 2-0 winners over Kilmarnock to maintain their 100 per cent start to the new Premiership season, their Euro rivals were hammered 3-0 on the road at K.V. Mechelen.
The home side had lost their opening two games of the campaign while Union had picked up four points from the first two games - but it was the out of form side who came out on top against Karel Geraerts side to move away from the foot of the table, and deliver a major confidence blow ahead of the trip to Ibrox on Tuesday night. Rob Schoofs grabbed the opener for the hosts in the first period before a quick-fire second-half double via an own goal from Jean Thierry Lazare Amani and Julien Ngoy secured the points.
READ MORE: Ex-Celtic man on Rangers' 'statement' transfer, title race and 'can't afford to lose' UCL verdict
Rangers showed last season how important the backing of the Ibrox faithful can be as they went all the way to the Europa League Final with some big scalps along the way.
Van Bronckhorst will be looking for another famous night under the lights in Govan with Monaco or PSV awaiting the winner in the play-off round.
Should Rangers advance, they would potentially be just 180 minutes away from joining rivals Celtic in the Champions League proper and mixing it with Europe's big boys.
Defeat, and they will enter the Europa League at the group stages.
READ NEXT:
- Livingston blast 'unacceptable' Rangers game scenes as 'irresponsible few' prompt Lions reaction
- Rangers star 'banned' from Livingston as David Martindale makes honest red card admission
- Joe Aribo in post Rangers viral wonder goal as he makes honest admission on Southampton transfer
- Rangers Champions League draw confirmed as Light Blues land difficult playoff assignment
