Rangers’ Europa League fixture schedule released by UEFA as Real Betis first up for Ibrox men

Rangers have discovered their Europa League fixture schedule as they kick off Group C against Real Betis at Ibrox.

Michael Beale and his troops discovered their fate in the second tier competition on Friday afternoon after dropping down from the Champions League following a play-off round defeat to PSV. They dumped the Dutch giants at the same stage 12 months ago but couldn’t repeat that historic night in Eindhoven this time around as the Eredivisie side hammered them 5-1 to take the tie 7-3 on aggregate and take their spot at Europe’s top table.

The Europa League is a competition that has some brilliant memories for Rangers in recent times including the historic run to the final in Seville just a couple of years ago before a heartbreaking defeat on penalties to Frankfurt. They claimed big scalps along the way in that run including Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig as they look to do something similar. They’ve now discovered that first hurdle following their group stage draw.

Following their opener with the La Liga side they will face Aris Limassol on the road and then play the back to back matchday three and four matches against Sparta Prague. It’s then Limassol once again at Ibrox before rounded off their section with a trip to Seville on matchday six to face Betis in the final group fixture.

As a pot 1 team Rangers are the favourites to win the group by coefficient. But a top two finish will see them into the knockout rounds. Finishing first allows you to skip that first knockout round that sees the Champions League drop outs joint the tournament.