Rangers handed date with Celtic flop as Europa League path becomes clearer

The Ibrox side have been paired with the Polish outfit after the draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Jagellonia are due to be at home in the first leg, with the second leg at Ibrox seven days later.

Rangers face two qualifying rounds to reach the main phase of the Europa League and will face Jagellonia, who finished third in the Ekstraklasa last season, for the very first time.

Managed by Adrian Siemieniec, Jagellonia have never faced Scottish opposition before. They reached the knockout stages of last season’s Conference League before being defeated by Fiorentina after extra time.

They play at the Chorten Arena in Bialystok, which is a city in north-eastern Poland, and the stadium holds just over 20,000 spectators.

While many in the Jagellonia squad will not be known to Scottish supporters, one name that jumps out is former Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi, who joined the Poles from Portimonense last season.

Kobayashi spent a year at Celtic between 2003 and 2004 but struggled to make an impact in Glasgow, only making a handful of starts.

The ties are due to be played on Thursday, August 6 and Thursday, August 13, with UEFA to confirm any date or venue changes by close of play on Monday.

Finalists in 2022 and quarter-finalists two seasons ago, Rangers will be looking to reach the main phase of the Europa League once again in a competition that has been good to them in recent campaigns.

However, should Rangers lose their tie against Jagellonia, then they will drop into the play-off round of the Conference League. The Ibrox side has never played in that tournament.

Hearts were also involved in Monday’s Europa League draw and could face Benfica if they drop out of the Champions League.