Rangers face seasoned European campaigners if they are to reach the play-off stage of either the Champions League or Europa League following Monday’s latest draws.
Russell Martin’s side will face Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic or Servette of Switzerland in the Champions League third qualifying round should they defeat Panathinaikos.
Like Rangers, both Plzen and Servette finished distant runners-up in their domestic leagues last season – Plzen to Slavia Prague and Servette to Basel.
Plzen 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.
They were beaten by Braga in Europa League qualifying last season before losing narrowly to eventual winners Chelsea in the Conference League play-off round.
The third round fixtures take place on 5/6 August and 12 August.
If 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 Beskitas of Turkey or Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.
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.
