All eyes on Helsinki as Rangers Champions League fate is revealed
Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Rangers v Royal Antwerp - Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - February 25, 2021 Rangers' Borna Barisic celebrates scoring their fourth goal Pool via REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The second leg of the Champions League second qualifying round tie between HJK and Malmo is underway in Helsinki.
With a 5pm UK time kick-off, the winner will soon be known – and they will provide the opposition for Rangers in the third qualifying round.
Last week in Sweden, Malmo prevailed 2-1, taking a slender lead to Finland.
At the time of writing, at half-time, the score of this game is 1-1 meaning that Malmo still hold that one goal advantage overall, going into the second half.
Vi har spelat 45 minuter i Helsingfors. #HJKMFF | 1–1 | (45) pic.twitter.com/sL01kKZOOd
— Malmö FF (@Malmo_FF) July 27, 2021
Once the result is known, Rangers can plan ahead for the next couple of weeks in terms of travel and logistics.
The away tie comes first for the Scottish champions next Tuesday, 3rd August, with the vital return leg at Ibrox on 10th August.
This Saturday’s Premiership opener against Livingston provides ideal preparation going into the crucial European game three days later.