Rangers know they have no guarantee of group stage European competition next season.
The Ibrox side enter the Champions League second round qualifying round at the start of next season and would have to navigate two further rounds to make the league phase.
However, a loss would see Rangers drop into Europa League qualifying and make their hopes of reaching the league phase in that competition exponentially more difficult.
A loss in the Europa League third qualifying round would see Rangers drop into the Conference League play-off round with a straight shoot-out for a spot in the league phase.
Rangers know they will be seeded for their Champions League qualifier, thanks to their impressive coefficient score after recent efforts in Europe.
The Ibrox side will face one of Panathinaikos, SK Brann or Servette in the Champions League second qualifying round.
From there, things can go one of two ways for Rangers, with a victory advancing them to the third qualifying round, or a defeat proving seriously damaging as it ramps up the difficulty in their qualification route for European group stage football.
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The reason for the increased emphasis on the first Champions League tie for Rangers is the format of the draw system utilised in the competition.
For example, in the draw for the third qualifying round, Rangers' coefficient ranking will be used, regardless of whether it is the Ibrox side that qualifies or not.
Simply, Rangers would be a seeded team if they advance to the third qualifying round in the Champions League.
Conversely, though, if Rangers were to drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, by losing their Champions League match, then they would likely feature on the unseeded side of the draw as the coefficient of the lower-ranked team is used there (SK Brann, Panathinaikos or Servette).
Braga and PAOK are already listed as possible opponents should Rangers drop into the Europa League third qualifying round and fall into the unseeded half of the draw.
Another huge reason for extra impetus on Rangers' first Champions League qualifier is how it would impact their route to league phase football.
While Rangers have no guarantees heading into their first qualifier, progressing to the Champions League third qualifying round would mean moving a step closer to the Champions League proper but also guaranteeing league phase football in the Europa League.
Sides that lose in the Champions League third qualifying round or play-off round automatically drop into the Europa League league phase without having to navigate qualifiers.
