Rangers kick off their 2019/20 season TONIGHT as they gear up for the first round of qualifying of the Europa League.
Steven Gerrard’s side take on St Joseph’s Football Club of the Gibraltar Premier Division this evening with the Gers taking their first steps towards securing European football for the new season.
St Joseph’s finished third in the Gibraltarian top-flight and will provide a trip into the unknown for former European Cup Winners’ Cup champions Rangers.
Gerrard and co finished nine points off Celtic in the Scottish Premiership last term and they are eager to do better this year.
But first they’ll have to negotiate this tricky trip to southern Spain and avoid any slip up like Celtic did when they lost 1-0 to Lincoln Red Imps in the Gibraltar national stadium three years ago.
The first-leg tie will get under way at 4:55pm UK time on Tuesday, July 9 and is being held at the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar.
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Full commentary will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our coverage getting underway at 4pm.
James Fielden and Sam Parkin will bring you all the build-up and commentary and to tune in, just click here for the live stream or click the radio player below.
Coverage of the Champions League qualifying clash between FK Sarajevo v Celtic will follow the Rangers tie.
Rangers ace Greg Docherty is confident they will be ready for their opening Europa League encounter.
“We feel ready for the game,” Docherty said. “Pre-season has been really difficult – harder than last year which I didn’t think was possible.
“We’ve really dug in and mentally it’s tough at times but you do feel stronger for it. We’re definitely a fit bunch in the changing room so it’s just about getting the match sharpness.
On facing the unknown St Joseph’s, Docherty added: “You never take anyone for granted. It is just as big as a group game. We need to get through these hurdles.
“To progress in Europe, you are going to have to get over hurdles like this against different teams in different environments. But I am 100 per cent sure we will be ready for it and can get the job done.”
St Joseph’s: Matteo, Lobato, Villar, Guerrero, Torres, Pecci, Cornejo, Martinez, Pena, Ferrer, Boro.
Subs: Robba, Casciaro, Reyes, Hernandez, Green, Garro, Serra.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Katic, Barisic, Jack, Davis, Kamara, Ojo, Defoe, Jones.
Subs: Foderingham, Edmundson, Halliday, Aribo, Morelos, Docherty, Stewart.
Referee: Nejc Kajtazovic (Slovenia)
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