Rangers have set up a Europa League revenge mission with Progres Niederkorn after hammering St Joseph’s 10-0 on aggregate in their opening qualifying round.
Steven Gerrard’s side crushed their Gibraltarian opposition, winning the second leg 6-0 at Ibrox following a hat-trick from Colombian marksman Alfredo Morelos. The Light Blues will now welcome their old foes from Luxembourg to Glasgow next Thursday as they look to lay to rest the embarrassing ghosts of two years ago.
Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers crashed out to the Grand Duchy part-timers in the opening qualifier of the 2017/18 campaign, a low-point in the European history of the Glasgow giants.
Progress Niederkorn squeezed into the tie despite a 2-1 home loss against Irish side Cork City, winning 3-2 on aggregate, and Rangers will be heavy favourites to avenge that previous loss.
Gerrard may have to do so without winger Daniel Candeias after he revealed the player has reluctantly been allowed to pursue a move to Turkey.
“I had a conversation on Wednesday with Daniel and he said he wanted to go and speak to a team in Turkey. We’ve had an approach and we had a real adult conversation,” said the Rangers boss.
“I said I wanted him to stay and fight for the shirt and be part of the squad but he said he wants to go and explore the situation in Turkey so we reluctantly but respectfully granted him permission.
“He’s a good man and been a good servant so we’ll see how that one develops. I have to respect Daniel and keep a lot of the conversation private but it boils down to him wanting to be a regular starter.”
Rangers are 3.20 to relieve rivals Celtic of the Scottish Premiership title this season.
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