“Minimum we have to be qualifying for the group stage and then I want us to set a target that we can go into the knockout stages.”
Those were the words of Rangers captain James Tavernier to the club’s official website following the Europa League qualifying draw, and after last year’s European disappointment, the Scottish side will be eager to go one step further.
After being knocked out in the group stages in the previous season, Steven Gerrard and his side should realistically be aiming for a round-of-32 finish at the minimum for the upcoming season, especially given the events of what happened last season that still keeps a bad taste in Rangers fans.
A tough draw with the likes of Villarreal and Spartak Moscow saw the Gers claim just one win in Group C of the Europa League, a 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna, leaving the club four points off progression to the knockout round after the dust had settled, but Tavernier’s comments could be an indication the club are ready to step up this year.
The right-back added: “I do believe you get the luck of the draw in the group stages, but I believe we have a good enough team to push ourselves into the knockout stages.”
With transfer speculation of Alfredo Morelos leaving cooling down rapidly and Rangers set to announce more signings soon via the Daily Record, there is a feeling in the air that the club can genuinely do one better than last year, and it would be a massive accomplishment for Scottish football.
Rangers fans, how far can the club go in the Europa League? Let us know!
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