With Rangers taking a 2-0 aggregate victory over FC Shkupi in the Qualifying First Round of the 2018/19 Europa League competition, we already knew that manager Steve Gerrard’s next test in European football would see us face either Petrocub or Osijek in the Qualifying Second Round.
???????? #RangersFC will face @nkosijek in the second qualifying round of the @EuropaLeague.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 19, 2018
Their second leg took place on Thursday and Croatian side Osijek took a 2-1 victory on home soil, to give them a 3-2 aggregate win given the clash in Moldova finished 1-1.
They will prove to be tough opponents for us as they took victory over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in both legs last season to reach the Play-Off round.
The first leg will take place in Croatia next Thursday and the return leg will be at Ibrox a week later.
Reactions from fans on social media to the news was pretty upbeat really, the PSV Eindhoven victories raised an eyebrow or two amongst the fanbase, but with growing optimism following Gerrard’s arrival and the signings we have made so far this summer, most are hopeful.
It wasn’t only the Tims doing it Pal. Best of luck in next round
— Dan_WHUFC ⚒⚒⚒ (@Dan_whufc) July 19, 2018
Any chance of using Dave Kings delorean so i know who we have in the final?
— Scotty (@ScottyRFC) July 19, 2018
With their blue and white hooped strip do we get to wear our mandarin strip on Thursday??
— Graeme Jordan (@graemejordan85) July 19, 2018
nikola katic played against them last season..hopefully have to low down on them already
— john stott (@johnstott1981) July 19, 2018
Hope so mate . Final third is poor . Good to hear SG speak about it though
— im blue (@Kilky43) July 19, 2018
right @btsportfootball get the finger oot…????⚪️????
— Chris Davidson (@chrisdavidson7) July 19, 2018
Katic is just out that leugue so he will know a thing or two about them
— Cleveland Brown (@Cleveland_48) July 20, 2018
Gonna be tough games
— Gary Keelor (@GaryKeelor) July 19, 2018
Play them- beat them-qualify !
— David forbes (@Racingspy191) July 20, 2018
Osijek will be a test, very decent side!
— John Renwick (@JohnRenwick19) July 20, 2018
Hopefully a much improved performance ????????
— Lennox Richardson (@lennyrfc) July 19, 2018
August 2nd is meant to be the first leg so the 9th should be the away game
— Revan ???????????????????????????? (@Revanite72) July 19, 2018