In the third qualifying round appear rank teams such as Scottish side Rangers, who finished second in the last Premiership just behind eternal rivals Celtic. Yet the men led by Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst last May had the chance to enter the Champions League through the front door, just as their cousins, already in possession of a group stage pass, will do. They could have achieved it by winning the Europa League but penalties were fatal to them on the ill-fated night in Seville in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
A bitterness which, however, does not erase the good things done by the Gers in the second continental competition in order of importance. A ride that, after being left without a coach in the autumn – Steven Gerrard decided to leave to accept the court of Aston Villa and start coaching in the Premier League – was really unthinkable.
Last weekend Rangers played their first official game, starting on the right foot in the Premiership by beating Livingston 2-1 in a comeback. It was a match in which van Bronckhorst also debuted some of his many new signings, such as striker Colak and midfielder Tillman. The Scots will try to regain the group stage of the Champions League – they have been missing since the 2010-11 season, before the bankruptcy – and their adventure will begin with the surprising Belgians of Saint-Gilloise, the revelation team of the last Pro League. Having only been back in the top flight for a couple of seasons, the Brussels club finished the regular season in first place only to fall in the playoffs.
Like their next opponents, Saint-Gilloise have already made their league debut, earning a draw and a win.
How to watch Saint-Gilloise-Rangers live TV and streaming
John van Bronckhorst ©️LaPresse
The match between Saint-Gilloise and Rangers, scheduled for Tuesday at 20:45 and valid for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League, will not be broadcast live on TV or streaming in Italy. No platform, satellite or streaming, has bought the rights to the preliminary round of Europe’s top competition.
The Prediction
Rangers favourites in the double-header, but they might find it difficult in the first leg, as they often do when playing away. Saint-Gilloise, then, cannot be taken lightly after an incredible season that has seen them repeatedly at the top of the Belgian league standings, touching on a resounding title. It will likely be a hard-fought match, in which both are likely to score.
Saint-Gilloise-Rangers
likely line-ups
SAINT-GILLOISE (3-5-2): Moris; Sykes, Burgess, van der Hayden; Niuewkoop, Amani, Lynen, Teuma, Lapoussin; Adingra, Vanzeir.
RANGERS (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Kamara, Lundstram; Tillman, Lawrence, Kent; Colak.
