Rangers have been given a boost before their Europa League last 32 fixture against Braga on Thursday night with the news that the club has risen 17 places in UEFA’s coefficient rankings.
A report in The Scottish Sun details the rise that the Ibrox club has enjoyed since returning to European football two seasons ago following their return to the top flight.
Steven Gerrard has overseen a remarkable change in fortunes after Pedro Caixinha’s disastrous – and embarrassing – efforts saw them crash out in the first preliminary round and has secured group stage football in his first two seasons as a manager, a feat made all the more remarkable given that he has had to start at the very beginning of qualifying both times.
Rangers 7.00 points puts them in decent company with Roma, Olympiakos and Club Brugge also on the same mark with the prospect of gaining even more should they be able to secure favourable results against Braga.
The introduction of VAR will be a welcome relief to Gers fans despite it’s widely reported problems south of the border, a spate of horrendous decisions has potentially cost them their title challenge this season as well as the league cup trophy.
The Light Blues have been done out of three goals and denied at least one penalty in just the last two games, with little sign of officiating in Scotland improving anytime soon the club will look to continue campaigning for the technology’s introduction to aid their decision making.
How far will Rangers go in the Europa League?
Last 32
Last 16
Quarters/Semis
Final
The standard of referees in the Europa League has been notably better than that in domestic football and Gerrard will be hoping that the major talking point is the quality of his side’s performance and result rather than any controversy that may hinder their chances of progressing when they travel to Portugal next week with a few more coefficient points safely in the bag.