Rangers learn Champions League qualifier opponents in UEFA draw

Rangers will have to get past Panathinaikos to keep their dream of reaching the Champions League alive.

The draw for the second qualifying round took place on Wednesday, with Russell Martin’s side matched up with the Greek club.

The first game will be at home, with the second leg in Athens.

If Rangers win the two-legged tie then they will move up to the third qualifying round, and if they lose they will drop into the same stage of the Europa League.

They went into the draw knowing they would play one of three teams.

SK Brann and Servette were the two avoided at this stage.

That journey towards the Champions League, league phase, will begin in late July, with the second qualifying round giving new head coach Martin his first taste of competitive football

The first leg is scheduled for July 22 or 23, and the decisive return match will be on July 29 or 30.

Last season’s second-place finish in the Premiership gave Rangers a chance to reach the riches and glamour of the continent’s top tournament, but the team will have to navigate three rounds of qualifying to reach the elite stage.

If they get through the second and third qualifying rounds, they will then reach the play-off stage, where they will be one two-legged tie away from reaching the Champions League proper for the first time since 2022.

However, league phase football is not yet guaranteed for the Ibrox side, if they lose against the Greek side they will drop to the Europa League qualifiers, then if they lose that game they will enter the Conference League play-off stage.

But if they get past Panathinaikos, then they will guarantee league phase participation.