Rangers: Royal Antwerp face Steven Gerrard's side in Europa League last-32
- Published
Rangers defeated Braga in the Europa League last 32 in the previous campaign
Rangers have been drawn to face Royal Antwerp in the last 32 of the Europa League.
The Belgians, who finished second in Group J behind Tottenham, will be at home first against Steven Gerrard's unbeaten side.
Rangers, who were seeded after topping Group D, reached the last-16 stage last season, going out 4-1 on aggregate to Bayer Leverkusen.
The first leg will take place on 18 February, with the return a week later.
Gerrard's men, the only one of Scotland's four Europa representatives still to be in the competition, have been in formidable form at home and in European competition this season with Sunday's win at Dundee United extending this campaign's unbeaten run to 27 games.
In this season's Europa League group, 14 points were garnered through four wins and two draws, with the Glasgow outfit finishing two points above Benfica.
What do we know about Royal Antwerp?
The Belgians will pose a formidable test to Rangers when they meet in two months' time.
In their own group campaign they enjoyed victories over Tottenham, LASK and Ludogorets, with only defeat in London in their final match robbing them of top spot.
Managed by former Croatia midfielder Ivan Leko, they have not been quite as scintillating domestically as they sit seventh in the Belgian Pro League after 16 games.
What about the co-efficient?
Despite Celtic's disappointing Europa League campaign, last week was a positive one for Scotland's co-efficient with both Old Firm clubs concluding the group stage with wins.
As it stands, Scotland is 11th in Uefa's rankings, a spot which would likely earn a direct place in the 2022-23 Champions League group stage for next season's Premiership winners.
Turkey have no remaining representatives in European competition, so it appears to be a straight shootout between Ukraine and Scotland for 11th.
Two Ukrainian clubs remain in Europe, with both Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Kiev - who face Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Club Brugge respectively - dropping down from the Champions League, whereas Scotland only have one.
So Rangers will have to at least match last season's achievement of reaching the last 16 to keep that place and claim the prize that comes with it.