Philippe Clement’s men could put their feet up for the knockout playoffs, which delivered two pulsating ties
Rangers now know the two sides who could stand between them and a Europa League quarter final.
After by passing a nerve-shredding play-off by storming to a top eight finish, Rangers fans were able to enjoy all the action from the sofa as they saw their potential opponents emerge in two dramatic matches. But whichever tie it is, Ibrox will be sold out and rocking as supporters hope to make it another Thursday night to remember for Philippe Clement’s men.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce raced into a 4-0 aggregate lead against Belgians Anderlecht, but made hard work of the tie before eventually winning 5-2 on aggregate with the match, which was marred by crowd trouble, finishing 2-2 on the night. And that means that the Chelsea icon could be on the touchline at Ibrox in a competitive game for the first time, in what would be a mouth-watering tie.
Meanwhile Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Dutch side FC Twente. The side that had shocked Celtic in the Conference League three years ago looked like they’d be exiting Europe when Fredrik Sjovold’s own goal gave Twente a 3-1 aggregate lead.
Hope was restored early in the second-half when Kasper Hogh dispatched a penalty that was conceded by Twente’s on loan Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke. But there was no more scoring until a remarkable five minutes of stoppage time, with Bodo scoring twice through a Mees Holgers own goal and Brice Wembangomo strike – only for Twente’s Sam Steijn to level with the last kick of the ball.
But the Norwegians showed their class in extra time, as they took the lead again through Sondre Fet. Before a third own goal of the game from Twente’s Arno Verschueren completed the scoring and set up a possible trip to freezing norther Norway for the Rangers support.
However fans will have to wait until the draw on February 21 to know for sure who they will face and what side of the draw they will be on. Games will then be played over two legs with the first set of matches scheduled for Thursday March 6 and the second a week later on Thursday March 13.
Being a seeded side, Gers will have home advantage in the second leg – as under pressure boss Clement looks to salvage a nightmare of a season with a run in Europe.
