More Rangers Stories {{#articles}} {{item.title}} Rangers have been drawn in Group G of the Europa League, after successfully navigating their way through the qualifying stages. Rangers booked a place in the Europa League group stages this week following a nervy second-leg against FC Ufa that saw them end the game with nine men. The Light Blues are back playing European football and have been drawn alongside Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in group G of the competition. This content could not be loaded #RangersFC have been drawn in Group G of the @EuropaLeague. Villarreal Rapid Vienna Spartak Moscow Rangers — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 31, 2018 Here’s how some Rangers fans reacted to the draw on Twitter: This content could not be loaded pic.twitter.com/GFW5Avhz34 — Dotty (@dottyRFC) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded Tough group, all solid teams. Villareal will be the main challenge but it’s not impossible. Mon the Bears! — David Whyte (@Soulstorm99) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded Decent group let’s have it — Jack David Blair (@Facetwot) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded Happy with that. We will give 100% NO SURRENDER ❤⚪ — Lisa Jane (@Mcphee_Rfc) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded It’s tough but I think you can make it through — Dom (@NabyStyle8) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded Be tough group but happy with that draw. We can do it — angelfish (@mandarinGranny) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded A good draw and feeling confident to say, we could get out of that. #letsgo #believe #RangersFC #RangersFC — Gary Northcott (@GNorthcott83) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded We got this C’mon Gers! — Johnny C (@johnny_C_82) August 31, 2018 Villarreal and Spartak Moscow look like the favourites to make it to the last-32 on paper, but Rangers can’t be underestimated given how much they have improved under new manager Steven Gerrard. Scott Brown and an emotional Celtic farewell The Gers will fancy their chances of causing an upset when the competition kicks off, and following their unbeaten start to the new season, not many will bet against them impressing in the Europa League. Gerrard has passed his first real test as Rangers manager by guiding the club to the group stage of the European tournament, with his next obstacle coming in the shape of Celtic, as the former Liverpool captain prepares for his first Old Firm derby on Sunday. In other news, 'Do the right thing': Moyes criticised reported £22m West Ham target just a few months ago<doc-sep>Rangers face tough trips to Russia and Spain in this season's Europa League, while Celtic again face Rosenborg. Steven Gerrard's side - in the group stages of a European competition for the first time since 2010-11 - have been drawn in Group G with Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow. Live SPFL Rangers, who only returned from the away leg of their play-off against Russian side FC Ufa in the early hours of Friday morning, take on Celtic in the first Old Firm clash of the season at midday on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Image: Celtic beat Lithuanian side FK Suduva to reach the Europa League group stages Arsenal, Chelsea face long EL trips Brendan Rodgers team, who missed out on the Champions League after losing to AEK Athens in the qualifying rounds, face an equally tough task in Group along B after being drawn with German side RB Leipzig - who finished sixth in the Bundesliga - Salzburg FC and Rosenborg. It will be the second time the Hoops will have come up against the Norwegian side this season - they knocked them out of the Champions League in the second qualifying round. Full Europa League draw: Group A: Bayer Leverkusen, Ludogorets, FC Zurich, AEK Larnaca. Group B: FC Salzburg, Celtic, RB Leipzig, Rosenborg. Group C: Zenit St Petersburg, FC Copenhagen, Bordeaux, Slavia Prague. Group D: Anderlecht, Fenerbahce, Dinamo Zagreb, Spartak Trnava. Group E: Arsenal, Sporting CP, Qarabag, FC Vorskla. Group F: Olympiakos, AC Milan, Real Betis, Dudelange. Group G: Villarreal, Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow, Rangers. Group H: Lazio, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt, APOE. Group I: Besiktas, Genk, Malmo, Sarpsborg. Group J: Sevilla, Krasnodar, Standard Liege, Akhisarspor. Group K: Dynamo Kiev, Astana, Rennes, Jablonec. Group L: Chelsea, PAOK, BATE, Vidi FC.<doc-sep>Rangers Europa League run has been monumental so far – and it hasn’t even really started. The Gers have qualified for European competition for the first time since 2010, and it’s fair to say the fans are buzzing for some more trips to the continent. The draw was made this afternoon in Baku and Rangers were paired with exciting ties in Spain and Austria against Villarreal and Rapid Vienna, and a return to Russia to play Spartak Moscow. Here’s a look at what Rangers’ Europa League opposition have to offer. Villarreal We’re no strangers to El Submarino Amarillo. The Yellow Submarines infamously knocked Rangers out of the last 16 of the Champions League in 2006. We’ll Rangers Europa League fate brings them back to the city looking for revenge. The Spanish giants had an impressive fifth place finish in La Liga last year and are the biggest challenge in Rangers Europa League run. £70m+ on new players this season They’ve spent close to a whopping £75m on transfers this season, £48m of which were for strikers Gerard Moreno, Karl Toko Ekambi and Roger Martinez. They also snapped up Santi Cazorla on a free. They’re young, boisterous and full of energy. It’ll be a tough tie home and away. KEY PLAYER Carlos Bacca – The Villareal squad are very strong as a whole, with the likes of defenders Victor Ruiz and Jaume Costa supplementing Italian forward Nicola Sansone and £18m Gerard Moreno. But it’s Colombian forward Carlos Bacca who’s the focal point. He contributed 15 goals and 6 assists in 31 games last year. MANAGER Javier Calleja – Calleja was a Villareal legend as a player, spending six seasons at the club. Now at the helm of the classy Spanish outfit, he’s looking to build on a very productive first season. When do we play them? El Madrigal (24,890) – 20th September – 6pm Ibrox – 4th October – 8pm Fun fact Amazingly Villareal owe their nickname to Liverpool’s favourite sons, The Beatles. In the 1967/68 season Villareal were vying for promotion, and to cheer on the yellow shirts, fans began to sing the song. Rapid Vienna Rangers fans will remember the town Vienna for providing us with such legends as Libor Sionko and Filip Sebo – only it was Rapid’s rivals Austria Vienna who they were signed from. Although they gave us Sasa Papac too, so it was worth it in the end. Rapid Vienna finished 3rd in the Austrian League last season. They’ve saw 15 players leave the club and 10 join, including all three of their main men. Top scorer Giorgi Kvilitaia joined Gent, creative midfielder Louis Schuab left for Koln and Brazillian striker Joelinton returned to Hoffenheim after his loan expired. They also lost their best centre back to Bundesliga 2 in Galvao who went to Koln. They’ve done their best to replace them Schaub replacement Knasmullner joined from Barnsley and hit a hattrick in a 4-0 demolition of Slovan Bratislava. He got another in the first leg against Steaua. A decent looking outfit with goals in their side and one to be watched. They’re still gelling, like us, but I’d imagine we’ll have too much for them over the two ties. We’ll need to, not only does Rangers Europa League run continuing rest on victory here, but they play with green and white hoops. KEY PLAYER Knasmullner – The 24-year-old Austrian midfielder has settled in very nicely in his homeland and is a tricky option who adds goals from midfield. They have a few players to worry about though – Stefan Schwab is a solid option at CB, the young Kostic is a dynamic midfielder and their number 9, Kosovan Veton Berisha is the young brother of Lazio’s Valon. MANAGER Goran Djuricin – Like Javier Calleja, Djuricin has a connection to his club’s hometown. Unlike Calleja, it’s with their biggest rivals. Djuricin spent six years at Austria Wien in the 90s but made on 15 appearances. The father of Austrian International Marco Djuricin, the Europa League is a big test for him. When do we play them? Ibrox – 4th October – 8pm Allianz Stadion (28,345) – 13th December – 6pm Fun fact Almost since the club was formed Rapid fans have brought in the final 15 minutes of EVERY GAME with a rhythmic clapping they call Rapidviertelstunde. They do it no matter the score. The ritual has worked plenty of times in inspiring the team to victory. Spartak Moscow Rangers Europa League run is set to take them back to Russia for this challenging tie. We’ve defeated a Russian team once, there’s no reason why we can’t again. It’s a much bigger challenge than Ufa too. The Moscow club finished 3rd in the Russian Premier League last year, narrowly missing out by 4 points. They also played in the Champion’s League group stages. Like Rangers, they are their country’s most successful club. Weakened by star man’s departure But they are made considerably weaker by the £18m transfer of star man and top scorer from last season Quincy Promes. The pacey Dutchman joined Sevilla. They haven’t really replaced Promes but have a strong squad full of talent. There’s Brazillians in abundance and they have an physical spine. They’re technical, pacey and full of creative talent. And Rangers will have to take more points off them than they do us to qualify. KEY PLAYER Luiz Adriano – There are a few very good players in this Moscow team but it Luiz Adriano who stands out. At 31, he might not have the legs he once did but the striker is a real threat creatively and in front of goal. He’s also started the season on fire with 3 goals in 4 at the time of writing. Mention too has to go to industrious midfielder Roman Zobnin who is still young and looks a really good option. MANAGER Massimo Carrera – The former Italian centre back and international played for Juventus and Atalanta amongst many others in Italy in a strong playing career. He also took the reigns at Juventus for a short period in 2012.<doc-sep>Join thousands of fans who have signed up to our Rangers newsletter. Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Rangers have discovered their fixtures for the Europa League – with all home games kicking off at 8pm. UEFA confirmed the times and dates for all six Group G ties following this afternoon's draw. Rangers start with an away tie against Villarreal on September 20 before a home clash with Rapid Vienna match day two. Match day three sees Rangers again play at Ibrox they take on Spartak Moscow on October 25. It's then followed by the second part of their double-header against the Russians in Moscow on November 8. It has a 5.55pm kick-off – as do all the other away ties. (Image: SNS Group) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now Steven Gerrard side’s penultimate game is against Villarreal at Ibrox on November 29 before finishing their group stage adventure in Austria on December 13. Full fixtures: Villarreal v Rangers (September 20, 5.55pm) Rangers v Rapid Vienna (October 4, 8pm) Rangers v Spartak Moscow (October 25, 8pm) Spartak Moscow v Rangers (November 8, 5.55pm) Rangers v Villarreal (November 29, 8pm) Rapid Vienna (December 13, 5.55pm)<doc-sep>
Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox club Glasgow Rangers and Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic will play in the Europa League this season. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard Steven Gerrard’s Glasgow Rangers will have Europa League football at Ibrox this season. Rangers have successfully negotiated through the tough qualifying rounds and have booked their place in the group stage of the Europa League this season. The Ibrox club will face Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in the group stage. Rangers’ bitter Old Firm rivals Celtic will also play in the Europa League this season after failing to book their place in the group stage of the Champions League. Roy Keane and the growing links to Celtic Brendan Rodgers’s side will face RB Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Rosenborg in the group stage. Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has taken to social networking site Twitter to give his take on the Hoops’ and Rangers’ Europa League group-stage draw. This content could not be loaded . @btsportfootball Exciting groupLeipzig toughest 3rd pot team..Timo Werner and all… Rosenborg good draw… Salzburg tricky but a mountain Celtic can climb — Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) August 31, 2018 This content could not be loaded . @btsportfootball Exciting times at Rangers though a tough group… Villarreal from a strong La Liga a good outfit… Spartak Moscow an upgrade on Ufa…. Rapid Vienna 3rd in Austrian league — Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) August 31, 2018 Tough draws It is an achievement in itself for Rangers that they have progressed to the group stage of the Europa League this season. Gerrard’s side will find it hard to go through from the group, and it is not going to be easy for Rangers’ bitter Old Firm rivals Celtic either. In other news, 'Blimey': Gary Lineker reacts to manager news on Twitter, it could affect Tottenham