RANGERS fans may need to sign off from work early to catch their next Europa League game.
This afternoon’s last-16 draw at Uefa HQ in Switzerland pitched the Gers on a collision course with Jose Mourinho‘s Fenerbahce.
Philippe Clement now knows his Europa League course[/caption]
Fenerbahce saw off Anderlecht over two legs[/caption]
Ibrox will host the last-16 second leg on March 13[/caption]
They were also placed on the ‘orange’ side of the draw – meaning potential re-matches with Manchester United, Lyon or FCSB could also be in the offing.
That all depends on how Philippe Clement‘s side fare against the Turkish side.
And the first clash on March 6 has been scheduled for a 5.45pm kick-off (UK time).
Rangers kick-off the two-legged clash in Istanbul before the return match at Ibrox a week later.
That one starts at 8pm under the Govan lights.
Uefa’s new bracket system also lined up the winners for a quarter-final with either Roma or Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish side’s Basque country base is also site of this season’s final.
Philippe Clement has never faced Jose Mourinho in a competitive match but he knows all about the maverick Portuguese boss.
He said: “There are different managers with different styles.
“He won a lot of trophies in a certain style.
“I like even more managers with another style, but the respect is there.
“It’s about winning in the end.
“And winning the biggest trophies you can win in the world. It is normal to respect someone who does it.
“He is somebody who is more in the defensive style. I prefer more the managers who go full in their attacking force.”
Mourinho, who qualified as a boss in Scotland and studied his coaching badges at Largs, said: “If we have to go to Scotland we will go.
“Rangers have a great stadium. It doesn’t matter to us. It doesn’t matter who our opponent is in the first match we will play in Istanbul.“
Gers could tap into old boy Ryan Kent‘s intel for that – though they won’t face a reunion.
The ex-Liverpool winger was freed from the club earlier this season.
He’s still a free agent though heavily linked with a move to Iran.
Preston North End and Leyton Orient have also been linked.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
