Steven Gerrard, 38, has lost just one of his 14 games with Rangers since taking his first steps in management.

The 40-year-old in the home dugout is something of a rookie as well, just a few days short of his first year on the job.

Javier Calleja is a former Malaga and Osasuna midfielder and was boss of Villarreal's youth teams and the B team before taking over from Fran Escriba.

He spent seven seasons as a player at El Madrigal and featured as a late substitute on Rangers' previous visit in 2006.

Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga last season behind Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Valencia.

Talking about Rangers at yesterday's media conference, he said: "Their play is marked with intensity, they play a direct style of game and look to take advantage of set-pieces.

"To combat that, we have to look to keep possession and take advantage of openings and make sure we do not make any mistakes defensively."

Villarreal star Santi Cazorla was full of praise for Steven Gerrard in the interview he gave Football Focus, describing the Rangers boss as his "idol".

"The second game I played in the Premier League was in Liverpool and I asked him for his jersey and I've treasured it since," he said.

"The fact he's coming here as manager of Rangers makes the game more special for me because I've always looked up to him."

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Gerrard also had warm words for Cazorla.

"He is a fantastic player and a very difficult opponent. I'm very happy he has come through the big ankle injury he has suffered," said the Ibrox boss yesterday

"The respect is mutual. He is a player who is great on the eye and I'm so pleased he can continue his career. He's a superb player."

Santi Cazorla missed close to two years of football, during which he had 11 operations and feared he may never walk again, never mind play.

After leaving Arsenal, the 33-year-old playmaker is now back at his first club Villarreal.

He started the club's first three league matches, being withdrawn around the 70 minute mark each time, and he captains the team this evening.

"They've made it possible for me to enjoy football again and it would be impossible to repay the kindness they have shown me," he said in a BBC interview this week.

Cazorla has 77 caps for Spain and was in the squads that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

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From the 94 teams that entered the first round of qualifying, Rangers were one of only four to reach the group phase - Sarpsborg of Norway, Apollon Limassol and Copenhagen are the others.

Steven Gerrard's team have been impressive defensively, conceding just one goal in their four away games in qualifying.

Ufa managed to get past goalkeeper Allan McGregor but couldn't do it again, despite the visitors losing two players to red cards out in Russia.

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Villarreal have finished in the top six of La Liga in every season since they returned from a brief drop into the second tier in 2012-13.

However, they have not made the best of starts this time round, sitting 14th after one win from their first four outings. Both home games - against Sevilla and Girona - ended in defeat.

The hosts, three times semi-finalists in this tournament, have lost five of their past nine home fixtures in Europe.

Some sensible Rangers fans taking on liquids before the game... The temperature is around 28C just now.

Let's hope these boys are still standing come kick off.

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Rosenborg's departure from Norway was delayed because of storms in Scotland and it forced coach Rini Coolen to put his squad through their paces in strong sunshine at their own Lerkendal Stadium in Trondheim on Wednesday - and not in the wind and rain at Celtic Park as planned.

"The trip went very well," Coolen said on their arrival in Glasgow. "Thankfully, we were notified early on the postponement.

"So we had changed the plans and had a good workout at home. Therefore, this has not ruined anything for our preparations.

"As expected, it was a tough game here last time. We started well and took the lead, but eventually we were lucky not to let in more than three goals.

"It meant we had the chance to qualify after the home game but unfortunately could only manage to draw even though we were close to winning the match.

"We feel we can get closer to victory and maybe take one or three points."

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Kyle Lafferty aims to take his chance as he takes the place of suspended striker Alfredo Morelos.

This is just the second start for the 31-year-old since he returned to the club from Hearts in late August. He scored twice at Motherwell on his only 90 minute appearance so far.

"Alfredo missing is a big blow but it gives me the chance to show the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and if I'm given the chance, put one away." said the Northern Ireland international yesterday.

"Hopefully it goes our way and we get the result we all want."

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Villarreal manager Javier Calleja has made a whopping nine changes to the side that beat Leganes at the weekend. Goalkeeper Andres Fernandez and defenders Miguel Llambrich and Daniele Bonera start for the first time this season. Santi Cazorla comes in to captain the side.

Centre-half Victor Ruiz and striker Karl Toko Ekambi are the only survivors from Sunday’s win - their first victory of the season.

Steven Gerrard makes two changes from Saturday's 4-0 win over Dundee.

Joe Worrall, on loan from Nottingham Forest, makes his Rangers debut, replacing Nikola Katic in the centre of defence. Kyle Lafferty takes over from the suspended Alfredo Morelos up front.

Midfielder Graham Dorrans makes the bench. The Scotland international hasn’t played since getting injured against Aberdeen in May.

Rangers and Celtic are ready for action as the Europa League group stage swings into life this evening.

There are new earlier kick-off times in a bid to entice more television viewers and the good people of Villarreal may just be shaking off their siesta when Steven Gerrard's side pitch up at El Madrigal (17:55 kick-off).

Celtic meet Rosenborg for the third time this season (20:00 kick off), having seen off the Norwegians during their failed bid to reach the Champions League.

On paper, this looks like Rangers' hardest test and Celtic's easiest. But will it work out that way?

BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound will be on air from 17:30 right the way through...

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