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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Rangers Champions League qualifier dates as Steven Gerrard's side set to avoid pre-season pitfall

The Champions League theme blaring out of the Ibrox tannoy is a sound fans haven't enjoyed in many a year.

After scooping the league title last month Rangers are back for a first crack at the continental big time in a decade.

Even in the absolute worst-case scenario Steven Gerrard's side will be guaranteed a group stage of some sort.

Losing at the first hurdle in Europe's premier competition will see them drop down to the Europa League playoff with the Europa Conference group stage the next fall-back option.

But let's be honest, fans aren't interested in that.

They want to see the biggest and best clubs in the world turning up in Govan and leaving with tails between legs.

And with the main domestic action done and dusted, save for the Scottish Cup, those qualifiers look even more appetising now.

Unlike when Celtic were beginning their Champions' Path qualifying route in mid July of seasons gone by, Rangers can enjoy a proper pre-season in 2021-22.

That's because they enter at the third round stage which UEFA have confirmed isn't until August 3/4, the midweek after the Scottish Premiership returns on July 31.

So here are all the dates Ibrox diehards need to know about.

Qualifying rounds

Third qualifying round - 3/4 August and 10 August

Play-off round - 17/18 August and 24/25 August

Group stage

Matchday one - 14/15 September

Matchday two - 28/29 September

Matchday three - 19/20 October

Matchday four - 2/3 November

Matchday five - 23/24 November

Matchday six - 7/8 December

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