The Light Blues have had a memorable Europa League season thus far, and they might advance directly to the last 16.
Rangers fans haven’t had a great season domestically, but there have been plenty of memorable European nights.
Philippe Clement’s team has been dazzling under the lights on a Thursday evening, from a rout against Nice in the south of France, when Hamza Igamane announced his arrival, to a home draw with Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur, which should have been a victory, Premier League woes have been largely banished in the Europa League.
But defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, despite a moment of magic from the mercurial Cyriel Dessers, has put their prospects of automatic qualification for the last 16 in the hands of the gods. Rangers are aware that in order to advance to the round of 16, they must overcome Belgians Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox, while also praying that other results go their way.
Can Rangers automatically qualify for the Europa League’s last 16?
Yes, that is still a possibility, though it is now out of their control. If Rangers had defeated Manchester United last week, it would have appeared lot more plausible, and a win over USG would have likely sufficed. However, with ten teams, including the Rangers and USG, separated by only three points, anything is still possible. We’ve broken down the permutations below, but it’ll be a nerve-racking night with fans keeping one eye on Ibrox and the other on the vidiprinter from other matches.
What would have to happen for Rangers to qualify for the Europa League’s last 16 automatically?
Assuming Rangers can take care of business at Ibrox against USG they will need five or more of the following results to go in their favour to secure an automatic spot in the last 16. A win would guarantee at least 13th and seeding for the play offs at the very least, with each of the results below resulting in them moving one place further up the standings.
- Elfsborg beat Tottenham
- Hoffenheim beat Anderlecht
- Manchester United beat FCSB
- Ludogorets beat Lyon with a three goal swing
- Galatasaray don’t beat Ajax
- Viktoria Plzen don’t beat Athletic Bilbao
- Bodo/Gilmt don’t beat Nice
- Olympiacos don’t beat Qarabag
How much prize money is at stake?
If Rangers can win a place in the last 16 automatically, they will ensure that they earn a nice £1.47 million, opposed to only £252,800 for making the knockout playoffs. That’s before you consider ticket sales for another sold-out night at Ibrox, regardless of who the opponents are.
When is the Europa League playoff draw?
If Rangers fail to make it to the last 16, all eyes will be on the play-off draw. That begins at 12 noon (UK time) on January 31, with matches following shortly after. The first leg of the play-off ties will be held on Thursday, February 13, with the second leg taking place a week later on February 20, with the seeded teams at home.
