Tonight sees Rangers kick-off their 2022/23 Champions League campaign.
Gio van Bronckhorst’s side are in Belgium to take on Union Saint Gilloise in the third round qualifying first leg in Leuven as they target a place alongside rivals Celtic in the lucrative group stage. After crashing out against Swedish outfit Malmo last season - thanks to a double from new Gers striker Antonio Colak - the Light Blues are keen to avoid any similar slip ups tonight.
Kick-off is 7.45pm, but they’ll know their potential opponents in the playoff round long before then. The draw takes place at UEFA’s Swiss headquarters in Nyon later this afternoon as the path to the competition’s proper riches is mapped out in more detail. They’ll have to get the job done against Union first, but at least they’ll know what else lies in store. Rangers are seeded for the draw, but that doesn’t necessarily make things any easier.
The Ibrox club are in the league path section of the draw along with the three other winners of the third round qualifying ties. They’ll be one of two seeded winners in the play-off draw, along with either Benfica or Celtic’s conquerors from last season, FC Midtjylland.
The unseeded teams could provide a tough test however. Dynamo Kyiv take on Austrian outfit Sturm Graz for a place in the next round. As Monaco of Ligue 1 face Eredivise cracks PSV Eindhoven in what is a strong non-seeded line up. Whoever is drawn out of the hat first will play their first leg at home.
Champions League playoff round league path
• 4 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round winners (league path). Seeded teams in bold.
SL Benfica (POR)/FC Midtjylland (DEN)
Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)/Rangers FC (SCO)
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)/SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
AS Monaco FC (FRA)/PSV Eindhoven (NED)
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