Rangers have been drawn against Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic or Servette of Switzerland in the Champions League third qualifying round should they defeat Panathinaikos.
If Russell Martin’s side lose to the Greeks, they face an equally difficult tie in the Europa League third qualifying round after they were drawn against either Besiktas of Turkey or Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.
Should Hibernian defeat Midtjylland in their Europa League second qualifying round tie, they will take on Fredrikstad of Norway in the next stage.
Lose to the Danes and David Gray’s side will take on Oleksandriya of Ukraine or Partizan Beograd of Serbia for a place in the Conference League play-offs.
Dundee United also learned who they will face should they defeat Luxembourg minnows UNA Strassen in their Conference League second qualifying round tie.
Progress as expected and Jim Goodwin’s side will take on either Decic of Montenegro or Rapid Vienna of Austria.
Seasoned campaigners await Rangers
Rangers face seasoned European campaigners if they are to reach the play-off stage of either the Champions League or Europa League.
Should they overcome Panathinaikos in the Champions League second qualifying round, Russell Martin’s side will face one of two teams who, like themselves, finished distant runners-up in their domestic leagues last season – Viktoria to Slavia Prague and Servette to Basel.
Viktoria finished 16th in the Europa League last season – eight places behind Rangers – before losing to Lazio in the last 16.
However, they defeated Hearts to reach the new league stage, winning both legs of their play-off round tie 1-0.
The previous season, Viktoria reached the Conference League quarter finals, losing to Fiorentina.
They last reached the Champions League three seasons ago, losing all their games in a group containing, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Rangers defeated Servette at the same, third qualifying round, stage of the Europa League in 2023, 3-2 on aggregate.
The Swiss were beaten by Braga in Europa League qualifying last season before losing narrowly to eventual winners Chelsea in the Conference League play-off round.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Besiktas were fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season and finished a disappointing 28th in the Europa League.
Shakhtar, who have suffered by being homeless in recent seasons due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, were 27th in the Champions League last season and have already had to come through one round of Europa League qualifying – beating Ilves of Finland 6-0 on aggregate.
Selected ties
Champions League, third qualifying round
Rangers or Panathinaikos (Greece) v Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) or Servette (Switzerland)
Shkendija (North Madedonia) or FCSB (Romania) v Shelbourne (Republic of Ireland) or Qarabag (Azerbaijan)
Europa League, third qualifying round
Fredrikstad (Norway) v Midtjylland (Denmark) or Hibernian
Rangers or Panathinaikos v Besiktas (Turkey) or Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Rijeka (Croatia) or Ludogorets 1945 (Bulgaria) v Shelbourne or Qarabag
Conference League, third qualifying round
Ballkani (Kosovo) or Floriana (Malta) v St Joseph’s (Gibraltar) or Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland)
Decic (Montenegro) or Rapid Vienna (Austria) v Dundee United or Strassen (Luxembourg)
Ilves (Finland) or AZ Alkmaar v Vaduz (Liechtenstein) or Dungannon Swifts
Larne or Prishtina (Kosovo) v Varazdin (Croatia) or Santa Clara (Portugal)
The New Saints or Differdange 03 (Luxembourg) v Levadia (Estonia)
St Patrick’s Athletic (Republic of Ireland) or Nomme Kalju (Estonia) v Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk
Víkingur (Iceland) v Zalgiris (Lithuania) or Linfield
